Police get tough on drivers

About 884 people were convicted for motor traffic offences at the end of the first quarter of 2012, a senior police officer at the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) told the GNA in an interview.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Alexander Kweku Obeng, Head of Education Research and Training, said within the same period last year 1,112 people were convicted.

He said 1,214 cases were sent to court between January-March this year, as against 1,580 cases brought before the various motor traffic courts at the same period last year.

ASP Obeng said the MTTU generated GH¢232,858 for the State from fines paid by the offenders.

He said there had been a decline in the number of offences committed by drivers and attributed it to efforts of the MTTU towards instilling discipline among road users through public education campaigns.

He said the Unit would not relent in its duties of making sure all road users adhered to the laid down rules and regulations, and would bring to book recalcitrant drivers and motorists.

ASP Obeng said, 174 people were awaiting trial while 199 offenders were still under investigation adding “Warning letters have been issued out to 214 persons as against 188 letters given to offenders within the same period last year”

He said one person was jailed as at the end of March while three people were jailed at the same period in 2011.**