Stop impounding vehicles for crossing red light, without valid insurance certificate; it's against the law – AG tells Police

Office of the Attorney General has asked the Ghana Police Service to stop impounding vehicles when drivers commit minor road offenses.

The Attorney General's office, in a statement addressed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), has acknowledged receiving numerous complaints from the public, legal practitioners, and senior officials regarding the tendency of police officers to impound or restrict the use of vehicles for minor offenses under the Road Traffic Regulations 2012 (L.I. 2180).

Citing Regulation 158 of L.I. 2180, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, asserted that the law outlines penalties for minor offenses, which may include fines or imprisonment.

Therefore, the Attorney General argued that the mere impounding of vehicles does not necessarily constitute a violation of the rules outlined in Regulations 158 or L.I. 2180.

“Thus, a position that the vehicle is required to be 'used as an exhibit' in court is untenable and unreasonable.

“As Attorney General and the principal legal advisor to the government, I advise that police officers should desist from impounding or prohibition of the use of a motor vehicle for minor offences such as an alleged violation of any of the rules of the road contained in Regulation 106, and other provision pertaining crossing the red light or driving a vehicle without a valid insurance certificate, etc.,” part of the statement read.

-Citi Newsroom