National Drivers Academy to be established

The Ministry of Transport is to establish a National Drivers Academy as part of measures to help in upgrading the competencies and skills of commercial drivers.

Renewal of their licences by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) would be based on the proof of having passed through the academy.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Alex Obeng of the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), said this at a public education forum on the yet to be implemented spot fine policy in Kumasi.

The policy is now on hold to allow for sufficient education whiles Kumasi, Tema and Accra have been selected for the pilot implementation.

The forum brought together the various transport associations, transport owners, drivers and other stakeholders including members of the general public.

They were taken through the 38 listed offences that would attract spot fines.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Andrew Angwubotoge Awuni, Director of the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department, repeated that the spot fine is not meant to make money, but to ensure safety on the roads.

He urged motorists to have the courage to report police officers who would want to take advantage of the new policy to extort monies from them.

Bismark Thomas Boakye, Ashanti Regional Manager of the National Road Safety Committee, reminded drivers to respect road traffic laws to prevent accidents.