Police commander warns GPRTU drivers

Accra, July 8, GNA - The Accra North-East Police Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Sylvester Y. Amponsah on Tuesday pointed out some of the driving offences rampant within his jurisdiction at a durbar organized by the Divisional Command in Madina.

He said for the past one month that he assumed duty in Madina, he had noticed that the drivers in Madina drive without observing the driving regulations and warned that any culprit that may be caught would not be spared.

Chief Superintendent Amponsah mentioned some of the traffic offences as stopping and loading passengers under "No Parking" signposts, driving on the shoulders of the roads, and obstructing free flow of traffic. The Divisional Commander also warned drivers' mates to refrain from hanging on moving vehicles and urged them to shut the doors of their vehicles when in motion.

He called on the drivers to report any suspicious character in their vehicle to the nearest police station. Mr Amponsah warned taxi drivers, who assist armed robbers in their stealing operations to stop for with. Speaking on vehicular accidents within the Madina jurisdiction, Chief Superintendent Amponsah said between January and June 2005, the Accra-North-East Divisional Police Headquarters have recorded 219 accidents involving 310 vehicles.

This resulted in 12 deaths and 70 passengers sustained various degrees of injuries.

He therefore, pleaded with the Madina/Adenta/Ashaleybotwe GPRTU drivers to help avoid the accidents on their routes. He also warned that any indiscipline on the part of any driver would be prosecuted. Chief Superintendent Amponsah added that sooner the Madina Police will introduce "On The Spot Fine", where receipts would be issued by the police to any future traffic offender.

In attendance included representatives from GPRTU, Co-Operative Union and the Progressive Transport Owners Association (PROTOA), Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr George Amoako, in charge of the Divisional MTTU, Chief Inspector Lucy Vourgane, MTTU Court Prosecutor, Inspector Duncan Ampofo, The GPRTU, Local Branch Chairman of Madina-Circle Mr Amadu Bukari, Secretary Mr Tham Ernest and the Treasurer Mr Muntari Mumuni.