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Police MTTD vows clampdown on sirens, strobe light abuse

Police MTTD vows clampdown on sirens, strobe light abuse

The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service has begun an exercise to arrest and prosecute motorists who illegally use sirens and strobes.

Such offending drivers use the sirens and strobe lights mostly to outwit traffic, however it has other negative implications for public security and safety, according to DCOP Alphonse Adu-Amankwah, Accra Central MTTD Commander.

In a wide-ranging close-up interview with Graphic Online, DCOP Adu-Amankwah said while the laws are clear on who can use the prohibitive warning signs, criminals escaping from a crime scene could use them to make their escape and it should be discouraged at all cost.

Regulation 74 of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012, (LI 2180) limits the use of sirens and special warning devices to only a handful of vehicle categories, however a good number of motorists have fitted them on their vehicles and persistently use same to ‘beat traffic’.

Those permitted to use the devises are;

  • A government vehicle used for official purposes by the Head of State;
  • A police vehicle;
  • A motor vehicle used by the Fire Service;
  • A motor vehicle used as an ambulance by a hospital or clinic;
  • A motor vehicle used by other recognized government security agencies; and
  • A bullion vehicle registered by the Licensing authority.

But DCOP Adu-Amankwah said in spite of the clarity provided by the law, its flagrant abuse is most offensive and will no longer be allowed. “The earlier the offenders advise themselves the better”, he cautioned.

The MTTD Commander said heavy vehicular traffic was affecting the public in many bad ways, including inhalation of poisonous exhaust fumes with implications for health, stress induced ailments resulting from long periods of sitting in traffic, as well as high economic cost to motorists.

DCOP Adu-Amankwah who vowed clear results within six months, said results are already showing but the public will need to change attitudes and be disciplined to support the new drive.

“Traffic is doing a lot to us”, he said, adding that “with discipline we should all arrive at our destinations safely and in good time.”

According to DCOP Adu-Amankwah, among road users who flagrantly abuse the provision are users of V8 and other four-wheel-drive vehicles, some of who turn out to be security personnel on private undertakings, politicians or their assigns, or public servants who erroneously arrogate to themselves an aura of importance just so they can have their way.

“We are talking discipline by all. Offenders will meet us on the roads where we can get them. We will not tell them where next we will be, we will swoop on them to face the law”, he said.

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