Superintendent Dr. Samuel Sasu Mensah, Director of Operations of the Ghana Police Service’s MTTD division, has bemoaned the high number of drivers on the road with fake insurance policies.
Even those who have insurance policies, according to the Director, most of them do not meet the National Insurance Commission’s requirements.
These observations were made when The Ghana Road Safety Authority (GRSA), in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service and the Motor, Transport and Traffic Directorate, MTTD, undertook a road safety enlightenment session at the Bunso junction on the Accra-Kumasi Highway and Kasoa as part of efforts to decrease road accidents to a bare minimum.
The practice was part of the “ArriveAlive” initiative. Several drivers were caught breaking the rules during the inspection at Bunso Junction, and several of them were taken to court.
Dr. Mensah spoke about the indiscipline of drivers on the roads and the need to execute the law when those drivers are caught violating the rules.
“What we have seen is that drivers are flouting the road regulations with impunity and so we are combining education with enforcement.”
Dr. Mensah
According to GRSA representatives, passengers should also wear their seat belts and keep an eye on the driver while traveling. The Superintendent also discussed the penalties that will be meted out to drivers who break the rules. Some drivers having items in the back of their vehicles were ordered to rearrange them throughout the exercise in order to fit the boots.
On the route between Kasoa and Bujumbura, 20 drivers were taken to court as a result of traffic indiscipline. Most drivers whose vehicles were inspected were driving defective vehicle number plates, DV plates.
Essence Of The Exercise
The Acting Director of the Regulatory Inspectorate and Compliance at the National Road Safety Authority, Kwame Kodua Atuahene, intimated that the exercise is very effective, adding that when there is a police presence, drivers tend to obey road regulations, which was a beneficial move.
“Yes, it is because once they noticed police on the road, they get to do the right thing. If we are to stay on this stretch for a long-time, drivers will behave appropriately. If you are stopped by a Police or the road safety team, you get the chance to be educated if there is a minor offense but those who have major offenses are prosecuted and the memory stays with them for a long time.”
Kwame Kodua Atuahene
Mrs. Agnes Ceazar, the Chief Superintendent of Police at the MTTD, Central East, elaborated on the Kasoa exercise, saying it was intended purely for educational and document inspection purposes.
Mrs. Ceazar emphasized that a significant number of drivers were oblivious that their documents had expired. As a result, this exercise, she said, was both timely and educational for those drivers.
“We are here purposely to educate drivers to drive safely and also to inspect driver documentation. Most of the drivers we arrested have expired documents which they are not aware of and so this exercise made them know that as they are driving, they need to be checking their license and other vehicle documentation.”
Mrs. Agnes Ceazar
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