MTTD working out further measures for spot fine implementation
The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service is working out further measures to implement the policy of spot fine as penalty for minor traffic offences.
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Although the date for the start of the exercise was not given, the Education Director of MTTD, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Alex Obeng, said the department was working to get other government agencies and private partners on board to ensure the effective operation of the system.
Background
The MTTD announced that the exercise was to have started in May last year but it did not. Later in September, the department announced that it was to start in November, but the exercise did not take off till the year ended.
Failure to renew driver’s licence, driving on the shoulders of the road, failure to use seat belt, driving vehicles without reflectors, among similar offences, will attract spot fines.
The spot fine system is intended to quicken the administration of justice for minor traffic offenders and promote compliance with road traffic regulations and reduce indiscipline by drivers.
Equipment ready
Mr Obeng indicated that the equipment for the take-off of the exercise was ready and that efforts were being made to ensure a smooth and efficient implementation.
He reiterated that the system would help to reduce the carnage on the road, since it would force motorists to abide by the road regulations.
Mr Obeng said this year the MTTD, in collaboration with its stakeholders, would intensify efforts to considerably reduce road accidents.
A total of 2,096 people died in 14,390 accidents nationwide in 2013, while 2,249 deaths resulted from 14,914 cases in the previous year.
Last year’s accidents involved 22,208 vehicles with 12,655 persons suffering injuries. Also 2,642 pedestrians were knocked down.
Mr Obeng attributed the comparative reduction in accident cases last year to the slow but gradual change in the attitude of motorists.
He said that not withstanding, drivers and stakeholders needed to do more to drastically reduce road accidents.
