Double Parking or Using a Disability Bay? What Ghana’s Road Rules Say

“I’ll be back in two minutes” is a familiar explanation for leaving a car in the wrong place. Under Ghana’s Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), the location and manner of parking matter, even if the driver intends to stop briefly.

Double parking and other restricted spaces

Regulation 235 covers parking abreast of another vehicle—commonly called double parking—as well as parking contrary to signs, too close to a junction, in front of entrances or exits, in restricted loading or permit bays, and in other listed areas. A Police Legal and Prosecution Unit officer’s published breakdown gives 10–25 penalty units (GH¢120–GH¢300) or up to 30 days’ imprisonment for these offences. The exact restriction depends on the place and signage.

Double parking can force another driver to swerve or block someone who needs to leave. At a junction or pedestrian crossing, even a stationary vehicle can reduce the view of approaching road users.

Why the disability bay is treated separately

Regulation 228(3) concerns parking in a space reserved for a person with disability without entitlement. The stated fine is up to 25 units (GH¢300), with possible imprisonment of up to eight months, or both. The bay is designed to provide usable space and access for people who need it. A driver without entitlement should leave it available even when nearby parking is difficult.

Before walking away, check the sign and road markings, leave access routes clear and find a lawful space. The figures here describe the regulations’ legal penalty ranges. Automated camera notices follow a particular schedule; a list of parking offences does not prove that every such stop is automatically camera-detected.

These are offences under Ghana’s Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519). The stated fine and imprisonment ranges are legal penalties, with imprisonment subject to court proceedings. They should not be mistaken for an automatic TRAFFITECH-GH camera notice.