2,701 Convicted for road traffic offences

A total number of 2,701 motorists were convicted for various road traffic offences from January to July this year by the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service nationwide.

The offences committed were speeding, overloading, drunk driving, driving vehicle with worn out tyres, driving and riding without license, driving and riding with expired documents. Others were riding without helmets, driving without seatbelts/having child restraints, talking on phone and driving defective vehicles etc.

This was revealed by Superintendent Alexander Kwaku Obeng, the head of research and programmes of the MTTD, in an interview with The Mirror.

In all, a total of 4,316 road traffic offences were reported for the period, out of which 3,300 cases were sent to court, and 25 offenders jailed. The total fine imposed on motorists amounted to Gh¢1,514,531.

Breakdown

A total number of 50 motorists were arrested and convicted for speeding, 112 for overloading, 112 for drunk driving, 202 for driving vehicles with worn out tyres, 898 for driving without license and 644 for driving with expired documents.

Also 170 others were convicted for riding without helmets, 112 without wearing seatbelt/ having child restraints and 1,087 for other offences, including talking on phone while driving, driving with defective lights etc.

To curb the increasing incidents of road offences and accidents in the country, Superintendent Obeng said, the MTTD had deployed its personnel in towns and major highways where accidents are rampant, and as such have equipped them with traffic enforcement equipment to detect and arrest drivers who do not comply with road traffic rules.

He mentioned that his outfit would also arrest and prosecute offences such as; Jay walking by pedestrians, unlicensed drivers, speeding, drunk driving, overloaded vehicles, vehicles on bad tyres, non-road worthy vehicles, non-wearing of seat belts.

Others are non- wearing of crush helmet, driving while holding mobile phone, running of amber and red lights, unauthorised parking, unlawful soliciting of passengers at bus stops, leaving broken down vehicle in dangerous position, noncompliance with retro reflectors and advance warning devices, non- compliance with motor vehicle compulsory insurance, unlawful change of lane and overtaking of vehicles, among others.

Superintendent Obeng therefore advised motorists to ensure that they developed a maintenance culture and abide by all road regulations.