The Akatsi South Municipal Road Safety Committee has called for stronger enforcement of traffic regulations following a road safety education programme for drivers, motor riders and transport operators in the municipality.
The committee said educating road users on traffic regulations must be matched with effective enforcement to improve compliance and reduce road crashes, injuries and fatalities.
The call was made during a road safety education workshop organised by the Akatsi South Municipal Assembly at the Municipal Assembly Hall.
Mr Daniel Dagba, Municipal Chief Executive, urged members of the Road Safety Committee to ensure that the laws were enforced after educating the public on their responsibilities.
He said sustained public education was necessary to create awareness, but enforcement remained critical to ensuring that road users complied with the regulations.
Mr Hope Robert Lamptey, Manager of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Akatsi, and officers from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Akatsi Police Command facilitated the engagement.
Mr Lamptey urged vehicle and motorcycle owners to properly register their vehicles to make identification and tracing easier for law enforcement agencies.
He said proper registration would assist the Police and other relevant institutions in dealing with traffic offences and vehicle-related crimes, including cases involving stolen vehicles.
The participants were also briefed on the government’s new legal framework for the commercial use of motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles for fare-paying passenger services.
The facilitators explained that commercial operators were required to meet specific conditions relating to licensing, training, registration and road safety compliance before commencing operations.
They urged prospective commercial riders to familiarise themselves with the requirements and ensure that they complied with the relevant regulations.
MTTD officers also cautioned drivers and motor riders to exercise greater care on the roads and observe traffic regulations to protect themselves and other road users.
They specifically warned against the use of unauthorised flashlights on vehicles and motorcycles, saying persons found using such devices could be arrested and the equipment seized.
Mr Umar Issah, Municipal Coordinating Director and Chairman of the Road Safety Committee, was present at the programme.
Participants used the engagement to seek clarification on road safety requirements and interact with the officials on issues affecting their operations.
Some participants said the workshop had improved their understanding of road safety regulations and expressed their readiness to apply the knowledge in their daily activities.
The facilitators urged drivers, riders and transport operators to cooperate with regulatory and law enforcement agencies and make road safety a priority in order to help improve safety across the municipality.
