Blinded driver fined, careless cyclist goes free

A bicycle rider who was knocked down at dawn whiles riding without light or reflectors by a bus, has appeared before a Cape Coast Magistrate Court together with the driver of the bus.

The cyclist Emmanuel Yao Fosu who is also a cleaner at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) pleaded guilty to riding without headlamp and reflectors but was cautioned and discharged whilst the driver of the bus, Kwabena Okum also pleaded guilty to two counts of driving without care and causing harm and was sentenced to a fine of GH¢300.00.

Chief Inspector Samuel Obeng Addo, told the court presided over by Mr Kwame Ohemeng-Mensah that, on December 3 last year at about 0430 hours, Okum was driving from Cape Coast to Elmina.

He said the driver upon reaching Duakor, a suburb of Cape Coast, he was blinded by lights of vehicles from the opposite direction and knocked down Fosu who was riding towards UCC.

Chief Inspector Addo, said Fosu was rushed to the UCC hospital and was treated and discharged and both the vehicle and the bicycle were sent to the police for investigations.

He said after careful inspection on both vehicles, the police realized that Fosu’s bicycle had neither lights nor reflectors and they were both charged with the offences.**