The Ghana Police Service says it will soon begin a nation-wide operation to arrest and prosecute all motorists who misuse sirens on the roads.
The police in a statement cautioned government officials who unlawfully use sirens on their vehicles, or resort to switching their double indicators on to evade traffic to desist from the act.
The conduct is in violation of Road Traffic Regulation 2012 [L.I. 2180] Sections 23 and 74, the statement said.
“The Police has observed the disturbing phenomenon of micro-finance and private security companies installing top light and sirens on their vehicles and using them to evade traffic, in utter disregard for road traffic regulation. Mention must also be made of the abuse of the trade license, whereby vehicles with trade license are used to carry people to funeral, wedding, church, mosque, office and businesses, and carry children to school.”
Below is the police statement
VIOLATION OF TRAFFIC RULES AND REGULATIONS
The Police Administration has noted with concern the violation of Road Traffic Regulation 2012 [L.I. 2180] Sections 23 and 74 which are, with respect, related to the use of Trade License, and horns and sirens.
Also worrying is the trend where government or State officials unlawfully fix top light on their vehicles with the sole aim to evade traffic. In other circumstances some people, who have vehicles which are not fitted with sirens, in their bid to beat traffic, put on their double indicators and engage in reckless driving, posing danger to other road users.
Furthermore, the Police has observed the disturbing phenomenon of micro-finance and private security companies installing top light and sirens on their vehicles and using them to evade traffic, in utter disregard for road traffic regulation. Mention must also be made of the abuse of the trade license, whereby vehicles with trade license are used to carry people to funeral, wedding, church, mosque, office and businesses, and carry children to school
We wish to draw the attention of motorists and the general public to regulations 23 [8] of the Road Traffic Regulation 2012 [L.I.2180] which stipulates that:
a trade license does not authorize the motor vehicle for which the license has been issued to be used for carrying passengers, goods for hire or reward or passengers who are not engaged in testing the motor vehicles or inspecting the motor vehicle with the intention to purchasing the motor vehicle.
Furthermore, regulation 9 (a) and (b) enjoins a person in charge of a motor vehicle to fix two number plates in the front and rear sides so that each letter or figure is upright and easily distinguished from the front and from the rear.
In respect of the abuse of regulations 74, bells and sirens may be fitted as a warning appliance and used for official purpose for the following vehicles only:
a government vehicle used for official purpose by the Head of
State.
a Police vehicle
a motor vehicle use by the Fire Service
a motor vehicle used as ambulance of a hospital or clinic
a recognized government security agencies.
a bullion vehicle registered by the Licensing Authority.
It is clear from the above that all other vehicles not mentioned are excluded from the fitting and use of siren and bell.
In view of the above, the Police are going to mount a nation-wide operation to arrest and prosecute all motorists, who violate the above-stated road traffic regulations.
The general public are entreated to co-operate with the Police in this exercise, and motorists warned to desist from committing motor traffic offences, for the sake of sanity, and law and order.
SGND.
DIRECTOR-GENERAL/PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPT.
[REV. DAVID NENYI AMPAH-BENNIN]
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
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