Driver Arrested For Overloading
A TAXI driver casually ignored road safety regulations last week, only to be caught by police and DAILY GUIDE. Demonstrating a clear breach of overload restrictions, the driver was snapped in the act at 10:15am last Tuesday, at Sogakope in the Volta Region.
Having taken on board a woman and two children, the careless driver loaded two bags of maize and a basket of oranges into his trunk, balancing a further two sacks on the roof.
The load was not secured in anyway and visibly hindered the vehicles movement. Angered at being photographed, the driver refused to speak with DAILY GUIDE regarding his actions.
He was forced to explain himself moments later however when a police officer approached his window while he was jammed in traffic.
The female officer duly booked him for his blatant disregard of the law, ensuring this was one mistake the driver will not forget.
The impact of campaign efforts by Ghana's Road Safety Commission has seen a consistent decline in Accra's road traffic fatality rates in recent years, from 31 in 2000 to 22 in 2007. Outside the capital however, it seems there is much work to be done.
According to Superintendent Martin Amofa, Tongu Divisional Police Commander and Chairman of the South Tongu District Road Safety Committee, aggressive drivers, poorly maintained and overloaded vehicles 'continue to pose serious threats to road safety', all over the country.
The Superintendent launched this year's National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) Road Safety Campaign, calling on drivers to abide by regulations put in place to avoid deaths and injuries on the road, especially leading up to the busy festive season.
He cautioned that drivers who flout traffic regulations would be processed before the courts, citing various road safety laws.
According to the Road Traffic Act (2004), section 80; 'if the weight, position or distribution of a vehicles load, or the manner in which it is secured is such that the vehicle exceeds weight limits or endangers any person or property, an offence has been committed'.
A driver contravening this provision is liable to pay a fine of up to 500 penalty units, some GH¢6000. Payment of a fine ceases legal proceedings, but failure to cough up in good time induces the officer to bring charges. With a conviction under section 80 attracting a prison term of up to 12 months, Superintendent Amofa warns drivers to be wary of breaking the law.
Of the 12 taxi drivers interviewed by DAILY GUIDE, majority were willing to risk prosecution for an extra cedi fare, nonchalant that consequences were unlikely.