Don’t use motorcycles for commercial purposes— Police MTTD
The Accra Central Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service has stated that the use of motorcycles for commercial purposes is a crime punishable by law.
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Popularly known as “Okada bikes,” the motorcycles are used to convey persons in the urban centres, especially those who are desirous of “beating” traffic jams to get to their destinations for a fee.
The Accra Central MTTD Commander, Chief Superintendent Anderson Fosu-Ackaah, has, therefore, advised Ghanaians to desist from patonising the services of Okada riders since the bikes posed grave danger.
According to him, the law did not exempt pillion passengers on “okada” bikes. He described such riders as “accomplices” in a crime and would be punished together with the motor rider when arrested.
Mr Fosu-Ackaah gave the warning in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra. He said according to the road traffic regulations, it was prohibited to use motorbikes for commercial purposes.
He said “okada” riders currently contributed the most to indiscipline on the roads. He said they “jumped red light when and how it pleased them”.
Operations mounted
Mr Fosu-Ackaah said it was difficult for a police officer to single-handedly arrest a motor rider who was using the vehicle for commercial purposes.
He said, however, that the police periodically mounted operations to stop people who used their motorcycles for the business of “okada”.
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He added that a number of campaigns had been carried out mainly in highly populated areas such as Zongo Junction, Kaneshie and Nima, which have a high number of “okada” riders.
He said the MTTD had observed that majority of motorcycles used for commercial purposes were neither registered nor insured.
Decrease in motorcycle accidents
According to statistics, the MTTD recorded a 3.8 per cent decrease in motorcycle accidents in Accra last year. The department attributed the decrease to sensitisation programmes organised for motorcyclists.
The sensitisation campaigns educated motorcyclists on the road traffic regulations.
Mr Fosu-Ackaah urged motorcyclists to abide by the road traffic regulations and ensure that the roads were kept safe for all who used it.
“The road does not belong to one person; it is for the driver, rider and pedestrian and must be kept safe for all,” he said.
He cautioned motorcyclists to strictly comply with traffic regulations and always have on them safety gadgets like helmets and reflective jackets.
Mr Fosu-Ackaah said the MTTD was committed to the safety of people and as such had police officers at various traffic intersections to ensure that people adhered to road traffic regulations.