Accra, July 16, GNA - Available statistics at the Motor Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service shows that as at the end of June, this year, 3,516 cases of motor accidents were recorded nationwide, compared to 3,094 cases for the same period last year.
Greater Accra Region recorded the highest number of road accidents during the period under review, 1,341 cases, out of which 115 were accidents involving motorcycle.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Daniel Julius Avorga, Commander of the Police MTTU, disclosed these in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra.
On the specific issue of the use of motorcycles for commercial purposes, the MTTU Commander said the rules and regulations pertaining to the use of motorcycles in the country had been stated in the Road Traffic Act 683.
"No person (whether rider or a passenger) shall ride on a motorcycle unless he or she is wearing a crash helmet. No person either the rider or the passenger shall ride on a motorcycle unless he or she is sitting astride the cycle" it says.
DCOP Avorga said the use of motorcycles had become prominent as a result of increased vehicular congestion in Accra Metropolis seems to be the next sought after means of transportation in escaping the traffic during the rush hour.
He added that the movie industry had also played a role in the acceptance of this illegal means of transportation. 93The use of =91Okada' in Nigerian movies as a means of transportation therefore seems to make this an acceptable sight".
DCOP Avorga indicated that even though the use of motorcycles as a means of transportation was highly patronised in Nigeria, the Lagos State Government was working to abolish it.
He stressed that even in Abuja, motorcycles were not allowed to ply on commercial basis. 93Therefore, the acceptance of this means of transportation if not curbed in the country could become a total nuisance."
He warned that individuals who patronised this means of transportation and contravene or fail to comply with any of the provisions of these regulations, therefore, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine. 93Failure to pay this fine would result in jail sentence".
DCOP Avorga cited an illegal commercial motorcyclist who was fined GH¢720 in July, this year, being the highest so far and hoped it would deter others from plying the trade.
He pointed out that the Unit was confronted with constraints including the lack of adequate manpower which posed a major obstacle in the implementation of strategies to check the perpetrators of the illegal act and effectively patrol with areas in the Metropolis where they were operating.
On statistics, DCOP Avorga said about 800 to 1,000 motor vehicles were registered annually and this had been a major contributory factor to the traffic congestion in the country.
He indicated, however, that Government would soon introduce an efficient public transport system that would be programmed to meet the transportation needs of the citizenry and decongest the roads.
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