Police Impound 200 Cars

DCOP Kofi Boakye explaining the road traffic laws to a vehicle owner, INSET: Some of the impounded vehicles.

MORE THAN 200 vehicle owners in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, could not enjoy the Easter festivities with their vehicles.

This was because of the decision of the Ashanti Regional Police Command to impound all unregistered vehicles in the city during the Easter period.

The exercise, which was sanctioned by DCOP Kofi Boakye, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, lasted for about four days.

The intensive operation saw the Ashanti Regional MMTU Commander, Chief Supt Peter Gyimah and his men, seizing more than 200 unlicensed vehicles.

Prior to the exercise, the police embarked on extensive radio programme, warning drivers of unlicensed vehicles not to use them during the Easter.

The police explained that unlicensed vehicles are not allowed to be used during holidays and so drivers in the city should abide by the law and stay away from trouble.

But despite the stern warning, some unscrupulous drivers still used their unlicensed vehicles during the Easter celebrations, resulting in their seizure.

The law indicates that any person that would flout the law could suffer financial penalty ranging from GH¢6,000 to GH¢12,000.

But instead of sending the culprits to court, DCOP Kofi Boakye on Tuesday morning rather released the vehicles to their owners on humanitarian grounds and gave them caution letters.

Before releasing the vehicles, the police capo gave copies of Road Traffic Act 2004, Act 683 and Road Traffic Regulations 1974, LI 953 to the owners of the impounded cars to study.

DCOP Kofi Boakye said the release of the cars formed part of the police's education to drivers, regarding the usage of unlicensed vehicles.

Addressing the 200 drivers at the Police Depot at Patase, he said it is unlawful for anyone to use unlicensed cars during holidays and after 7:00 pm on working days.

DCOP Kofi Boakye noted that unlicensed cars are not allowed to be used for funerals, weddings and the carrying of children to and from school.

The Police Commander observed that robbers had adopted the usage of unlicensed vehicles to embark on their robbery activities.

He said the police had also decided to enforce the law covering the unlicensed vehicles so that there would be sanity on the road.

DCOP Kofi Boakye therefore urged the owners to study the road traffic laws so that they would not flout them again.

FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi.