51 drivers prosecuted in Ashanti

ABOUT 51 drivers in the Ashanti Region have been arraigned before court, and charged with various offences, ranging from overspeeding to drunk-driving.

Thirty more are being processed for court to answer similar charges, in a move by the Ashanti Regional Police Command to stem the increasing spate of road accidents in the region.

The offenders, made up of commercial, private and cargo drivers, were fined various sums of monies ranging from 240 to 440GH cedis, depending on the gravity of the offence committed.

The nature of the offences also include overloading, broken windscreens, worn out tyres, driving without license, and road worthiness.

The Ashanti Regional Public Relations Officer of Police, Chief Inspector Mohammed Tanko, who disclosed this to The Chronicle, said the move was aimed at ensuring discipline on the roads, in the run up to the Christmas festivities.

He said the swoop was mounted on four main accident-prone routes leading to the Kumasi metropolis, including the Konongo-Juaso stretch on the Accra-Kumasi road, the Kumasi-Obuasi road, the Kumasi-Offinso road, and the road linking Kumasi to the Brong Ahafo Region.

Chief Inspector Tanko said the police decided to embark on the operation, after several months of educating the public on road safety, and the need to abide by the road regulations, to prevent any unforeseen occurrences.

The Police PRO intimated that the exercise would be sustained to make sure every driver complies with the rules and regulations governing vehicular usage, and movement in the country.

He therefore, advised passengers and other road users to be on the look out, and alert police on drivers who refuse to conform to the rules and regulations.