Police to enforce drivers' use of passenger manifest

Kumasi, Sept. 23, GNA - The Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service is to begin strict enforcement of the use of passengers' manifest by commercial drivers as from next month. Chief Superintendent Augustine Gyenning, Ashanti Regional Commander of the MTTU, said this was part of measures to check drivers from exceeding speed limits and overloading of their vehicles and thereby help to reduce the unacceptably high incidence of road traffic accidents.

He said through the use of the manifest the police could tell whether a vehicle had travelled at an abnormal speed or had been overloaded.

Chief Supt. Gyenning was speaking at a road safety education forum held for drivers in Kumasi on Thursday.

It was organised under the auspices of the Donewell Insurance Company's safety campaign and best driver award scheme. The MTTU Commander told drivers to be more conscious of the driving environment and show greater respect for road signs and weather conditions.

He noted that if they did that they could assist to bring down the rate of road accidents.

He also drew attention to the importance of defensive driving, saying, "it is evident that Ghanaian drivers need more education on this."

Chief Supt. Gyenning reminded them to be disciplined and warned of arrest and prosecution of those who either embarrassed or inconvenienced the travelling public.

He was particular about instances where some drivers picked passengers and mid-way through the journey turned and sent them back to where they were picked because of disagreement over fares.

"This is completely unacceptable as it is against the law," he added.

Mr Francis Akyeampong, Marketing Manager of the Insurance Company, said the education campaign was their contribution towards preventing the carnage on the roads.

He described public response to its best driver award competition as encouraging as entries continued to pour in from all parts of the country.