Driver fined five million cedis for overloading

Tema, March 6, GNA - Alhaji Anas Adams, a cargo truck driver was on Friday fined five million cedis by the Tema Circuit Court "A" for overloading his vehicle.

Adams pleaded guilty to charges of loading above the stipulated height, insecure loading, use of vehicle with damaged side driving mirror. He will go to jail for 18 months if he fails to pay the fine.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Mary Assunta told the court presided over by Mr Charles Asiedu that on March 2, this year, at about 5:30 p.m., the Tema Regional Police Commander on her rounds, intercepted a DAF cargo truck with registration number GK 9825 K at Kpone barrier loaded with goods.

She said the truck had loaded 2,250 cartons of "Nkatie Burger" on the vehicle on its journey from Accra to Lagos, Nigeria. The prosecution said the load had reached a height of 15 feet instead of the stipulated 11 feet, making the load insecure on the road to other road users.

Further inspection on the vehicle showed that the side-driving mirror was damaged, the prosecution added.