The Ghana Police Service’s Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) has impounded approximately 6,000 vehicles and seized hundreds of unlawful sirens, beacon lights, and other unauthorised lamps as part of a statewide enforcement operation aimed at enhancing road safety.
The operation, which started around a month ago, has been implemented in all 25 police regions, according to ACP Alexander Kwaku Obeng, Director of Education, Research, and Training at the Police MTTD, who spoke on Citi News Digest on Saturday, July 18.
He claims that the exercise has shown widespread misuse of beacon lamps, strobe lights, and sirens by drivers nationwide.
“We have intercepted about 6,000 vehicles from which sirens, beacon lights and other unlawful lamps have been seized. About 700 of these are strobes or sirens, and that tells you the magnitude of the problem,” he said.
He emphasised that in order to guarantee broader coverage, the police have expanded their enforcement activities to divisional levels and are still dedicated to maintaining the exercise.
He emphasised that police personnel would continue to monitor key highways and urban roads around the country and cautioned drivers against purchasing and installing illegal sirens, beacon lights, and strobe lighting.
“This exercise has become part of our daily operations. Whoever intends to buy another lamp, procure strobe lights, beacon lights or sirens should know that we are ever-present. We will meet you on the N1, N2, N4, N8, N9, N10 and N12 and across all the 16 regions and 25 police regions,” he said.
According to ACP Obeng, the operation’s goals are to lessen noise pollution and enhance drivers’ vision, especially at night.
He stated that while the illegal gadgets have been seized, all intercepted offenders have so far received written or verbal cautions.
“All these strobe lights and sirens have been seized from them with either a verbal warning or written warning letters with the hope that they do not commit the offence again. So far, it has been warning, warning, warning and seizures.”
“We are seeing increasing compliance. The roads are becoming quieter, and night travel is improving in terms of visibility,” he added.
However, the MTTD director cautioned that repeat violators would be prosecuted.
He emphasised that drivers who are discovered to be breaking the rules after being warned may be charged under the applicable traffic laws and presented in court.
He says that a successful prosecution might result in fines between GH¢300 and GH¢600, a maximum 30-day jail sentence, or other legal penalties.
Source: newsthemegh.com