About 100 motor cycles have been impounded by the police in a special operation in the Accra metropolis for various offences.
The exercise which started on April 15 to 17 was to ensure sanity on the roads during the Easter celebrations.
Offending riders who were arrested at areas such as Makola ECG, TUC, Farisco, Trust Bank area and UTC were without licence, protective clothing, and without road worthy certificates.
The Commanding Officer of the Central Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (C/MTTU), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Anderson Fosu-Ackaah briefed the Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday.
He expressed worry over the increasing rate of indiscipline on the part of some riders.
The Commanding Officer said 272 accidents involving motor cycles which resulted in the death of eight people and injuries of 131 people were recorded for the first quarter of this year.
ACP Fosu-Ackaah said the riders were being processed for the motor courts for prosecution.
“A total of 25 cases have already been sent to the Motor Courts between April 1and 16, and a total fine of GH¢12,900.00 paid into the consolidated fund. The others will soon be arraigned,” he added.
ACP Fosu-Ackaah said the exercise would be ongoing during and after the Easter celebration to ensure that lives and properties were saved.
He said to ensure safety on the road a task force comprising the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority and the police has been constituted to sensitise the public on the best practices on the roads.
“The task force has been deployed to areas like Nsawam, Eastern Region, Tema and Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region,” he added.
ACP Fosu-Ackaah said the taskforce have also been equipped with gadgets such as speed guns, and alcohol breathalyzers.
The Commanding Officer said recalcitrant drivers would be arrested and prosecuted.
He appealed to drivers especially transport unions to ensure that vehicles were in good order before they embark on their journeys.
“Drivers must endeavour to do basic checks on the vehicles such as brakes, lighting system, and car tyres among others before they hit the roads,” he added.
He said drivers should abide by the road safety regulations to ensure that lives and properties were saved during and after the Easter celebrations.
“Most of the accidents were avoidable if precautionary measures were adhered to,” he added.
BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI
