As part of efforts at ensuring an accident-free Easter, the Driver and Vehicles Licensing Authority (DVLA), National Road Safety Authority, and the Motor, Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), of the Ghana Police Service have conducted a joint swoop to rid the road of drivers who do not adhere to the prescribed rules and regulations.
Officials say most of the arrests made included commercial drivers, who were on the roads without the requisite license.
Ashanti region recorded 108 deaths through road crashes from January and February this year, one person more than the figure recorded during the same period last year.
Road crashes usually occur in the region during the Easter festivities, this led the three state agencies responsible for road safety to join forces to clamp down on undisciplined and unauthorized drivers and motorcyclists.
The joint operation by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, Road Safety Authority and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service, MTTD took place at newly created Kwadaso Municipality.
This is because of the high volume of traffic experienced on that stretch of the road which also leads into the Western North, Bono and Ahafo regions.
The team inspected road worthy certificates, vehicle insurance certificates, Drivers’ License, warning triangles, fire extinguishers among other driving requirements, including seat belts and safety helmets for motor and tricycle riders.
Others also checked the vehicles for over loading and speeding.
Drivers or riders who were found to be in breach of the road safety regulations had their vehicles impounded, and were asked to report at the appropriate offices to begin procurement processes before they could resume driving.
Twumasi Ankrah, a motor rider, and Ampong Simon, a pillion rider, were caught without the safety helmets.
The operation led to huge vehicular congestion on that stretch of the road, compounded by the return of Senior High School students home for the Easter break. The situation left many commuters stranded for hours.
The Regional Manager of the National Road Safety Authority, Madam Simbiat Wiredu gave an overview of the exercise.
Ashanti Regional Manager of the DVLA, Amos Abakah said the exercise will be sustained after the Easter.
