Police impound 700 vehicles in Western Region over illegal sirens and emergency lights

The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service has impounded about 700 vehicles in the Western Region during a special enforcement exercise targeting the illegal use of sirens, beacon lights and strobe lights.

The operation, which was conducted in Takoradi and Tarkwa, also led to the removal of unauthorised beacon and strobe lights from vehicles, as well as seven illegally installed sirens.

The exercise forms part of a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at ensuring compliance with Regulations 65 and 74 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180), which restrict the use of sirens and emergency lights to authorised persons and institutions.

Speaking to Citi News, the Director of Education, Research and Training at the Police MTTD, ACP Alexander Kwaku Obeng, said the operation was necessitated by the increasing number of motorists flouting the law.

He explained that under the regulations, only the President, designated state officials and authorised emergency service institutions are permitted to use sirens, beacon lights and strobe lights.

ACP Obeng cautioned chiefs, politicians, religious leaders, business executives and other vehicle owners against installing or using prohibited emergency equipment on their vehicles, stressing that the practice endangers road users and contributes to traffic accidents.

He indicated that the enforcement exercise would continue across the country.

“Henceforth, you will see the Police in Takoradi and in Tarkwa embark on this exercise on daily basis but remember this exercise is also being conducted across the country,” he said.