The National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) has expressed utmost shock at the directive by the Police to all its MTTD personnel to suspend checks on vehicles henceforth.
The Commission is greatly worried by the police order especially at a time that it (Commission) is calling for strict enforcement of road regulations to avoid carnage on the roads.
A leaked Police wireless message signed by COP. Ransford Moses Ninson and circulated to all Police post is directing all MTTD personnel to suspend motor checks in the country with immediate effect.
“MTTD personnel are to be used only for traffic management duties. Regional, Divisional and Unit Commanders are to ensure that no permits are issued for motor check duties”, the internal wireless message in part read.
Between January and September 2016, over 1500 people have died from road accidents, according to official report, the Commission fears this number could rise following the police directive.
But the Executive Director of the NRSC, Mrs May Obiri Yeboah has indicated that the NRSC will engage the Police over its decision, particularly s there will increased movement of cars as we approach the general elections and the Christmas festivities.
“This is the time we need to strengthen our enforcement so that people will obey the rules and we’ll save more lives on our roads. For the past nine months, over 1500 people have died on our roads, I think it’s worse as compared to last year, we feel this is the time we have to do more. For us at the Commission, it is a big blow, I’m afraid we’ll record a lot of road accidents, because the ordinary man knows that the policeman cannot request for my driving license, he cannot look at my road worthiness…we’ll get people who are not fit being on our roads.”
