Drivers to be jailed if broken-down cars aren't towed 'immediately'

If Ghana’s Parliament accepts and approves the amended Road Traffic Regulations, 2017, drivers and vehicle owners who fail to “immediately” tow their broken vehicles off the road, risk being fined summarily or imprisoned.

This is contained in the amended Road Traffic Regulations, 2017, which is yet to be presented to Parliament for consideration.

It is recalled that the government suspended the implementation of the compulsory towing service levy, following public outcry.

However, the Bill has been amended and is yet to be presented to parliament for consideration.

Portions of the amended regulations, intercepted by Accra100.5FM states: “If an owner of a motor vehicle or trailer, or a person in charge of a motor vehicle or trailer, whose motor vehicle or trailer breaks down or is involved in an accident on a roadway, shall immediately ensure its removal.

“An owner of a motor vehicle or trailer or a person in charge of motor vehicle or trailer which has broken down, or has been involved in an accident on a roadway who permits the motor vehicle or trailer to remain on the roadway commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine or not less than fifty penalty units and not more than one hundred and fifty penalty units, or to a term of imprisonment of not less than three months and not more than twelve months or to both.

“Where a broken down motor vehicle or trailer is left on a roadway or left in circumstances that constitutes a danger of death or injury to any other person using the road, the police or a Metropolitan, Municipal or District Assembly shall compulsorily tow or authorise a service provider to tow the motor vehicle or trailer to a designated parking depot.”