MTTU arrests 54 drivers in Koforidua

The Eastern Regional Command of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) has arrested 55 drivers for using trade license plates, also known as DV, beyond the legally stipulated time.

In a special operation to halt the use of these number plates, which the MTTU described as “too rampant in Koforidua,” 23 drivers were arrested last week while 32 were arrested at the weekend.

The Road Traffic Regulation Act 2012 states that: “A person who holds a trade license plate and uses the vehicle on the road for any other purpose other than what it had been prescribed commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both”.

Briefing the Ghana News Agency after the exercise, Police Chief Superintendent Samuel Tetteh, Regional Commander of the MTTU, explained that the DV number plates were only permitted to be used for testing of vehicles from the harbour to the owners garage or designated place for testing.

In that regard, he said a DV number plate was not to be used for more than six months or a maximum of one year.

Chief Superintendent Tetteh said such vehicles were not supposed to carry any passenger or family members apart from the driver himself for the purposes of the testing.

According to him, the MTTU had noticed that in Koforidua people had taken that for granted and some had used the DV plates for so many months.

During the operation, some of the drivers were seen carrying passengers.

The Regional Commander said some 18 drivers who had already been convicted were found among the new offenders indicating flagrant disregard for the law.

He said out of the 22 who were arrested last week and arraigned before court, 18 of them were convicted to fines totalling GH¢4,000.

He said the new offenders would be prosecuted and commended the courts for co-operating to ensure safety on the roads.

Source: GNA