Driver gets two-day jail term for careless driving

The Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced a 35-year-old driver, Isaac Andoh, to two days imprisonment for careless and inconsiderate driving.

In addition, the convict has been fined GH₵2,400 or in default will serve a two-month jail term. Andoh pleaded guilty and was convicted on his own plea.

In sentencing, the court, presided over by Hathia Ama Manu, said it had taken into consideration, the fact that he was a first-time offender but needed to be punished to serve as a deterrent to other drivers, who often, take things for granted and threaten the safety and security of other road users by their careless driving.

Case

Presenting the case before the court, Prosecutor, Superintendent of Police, Juliana Essel-Dadzie, said the complainant, Samuel Benful, a native of Kumasi Oboho, is a driver, while Andoh i a resident of Aseke, Takoradi.

On April 2, 2024, at about 9:45 p.m., the accused, now convict, was driving a truck with registration number WR 1039-17 from Takoradi to Tarkwa, and the complainant was driving a KIA Rhino with registration number GE 3628-16, loaded with marble stones from Tarkwa to Cape Coast.

She said on reaching a section of the road at the Dompim Police Snap checkpoint,  the officers on duty stopped the complainant, and while inspecting his documents, Andoh emerged from the opposite direction at top speed.

Supt. Essel-Dadzie said Andoh was signalled to stop, but he failed to do so and first hit the police barricade before colliding with the complainant's vehicle, causing damage to the nearside headlight, and windscreen before the truck then veered off the road into the bush.

Andoh was later arrested and he admitted to the offence in his caution statement. At the police station, he provided valid documents covering the accident vehicle for inspection after which he was granted police enquiry bail.

The prosecutor said the police revisited the accident scene and conducted their investigations in the presence of the complainant, convict and a witness.

Supt. Essel-Dadzie stated further that on April 5, 2024, a vehicle examiner from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) at Tarkwa office examined and tested both vehicles and submitted his report to the police.

She said after the investigations, Andoh was formally arrested and charged with the offences and processed for court. - GNA