Officials of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service have engaged motor riders at the Keneshie central market on safe riding and adherence to road traffic regulations.
The sensitization engagement is designed to deal with the many problems of rider indiscipline on the country’s roads under the initiative “Police Action Against Rider Indiscipline” (OPERATION PAARI).
The police officials in their interactions with the motor riders advocated for the need to wear a crash helmet anytime they ride the motor to prevent any form of severe injuries.
“The MTTD police officers will prosecute any motorist who rides through traffic lights, non-wearing a helmet, and the general disregard for road traffic regulations. The service as a deployed team of police riders with body cameras to monitor the conduct of riders at any strategic location,” they said.
In 2022, the Police Service launched OPERATION PAARI, an initiative that has become necessitated due to motorcycles accounting for the leading cause of road accident-related deaths and the second leading cause of road accident injuries.
The initiatives follow a report by the MTTD that a total of 1,443 persons lost their lives in road crashes between the period of January and July 2022.
The statement from the Police, dated April 7, 2022, noted that the Service will continue to engage all stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the problem.
“We would like to caution the riding public to be self-disciplined and follow traffic regulations. We are, as usual, counting on the support of the public to make this programme a success,” the statement added.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke