52 DRIVERS FINED FOR TRAFFIC OFFENCES (MIRROR, DEC 31, 2010, PAGE 21)

From Akwasi Ampratwum-Mensah, Sunyani.

The Sunyani and Goaso Magistrate Courts in the Brong Ahafo Region have imposed a total fine of GH¢2,020.00 on a number of drivers who were arraigned before them separately for committing various motor and traffic offences.
The recalcitrant drivers were arrested during a special exercise conducted by the regional Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service on the Goaso-Kukuom road, Goaso-Kumasi road, and the Berekum- Dormaa Ahenkro road and at the Bechem Junction.
They were charged for driving without license, use of motor vehicles with worn-out tyres, failing to equip their vehicles with fire extinguishers and warning triangle, use of vehicles with crashed windscreens, among other traffic offences.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Paul Wesley Baah, the Regional MTTU Commander, told The Mirror in Sunyani that a total of 52 drivers were arrested during the first exercise on the Goaso-Kukuom and Goaso-Kumasi roads, out of which 39 were processed for the Goaso court, presided over by Mr Sydney Braimah.
 ASP Baah indicated that the court then convicted 16 of the drivers who were found guilty to pay a total fine of GH¢1, 120.00 and issued a bench warrant for the arrest of 20 others who failed to appear before the court.
For the exercise carried out on the Berekum-Dormaa Ahenkro road and at the Bechem Junction, the MTTU Regional Commander explained that, in all, 38 drivers were arrested for indiscipline but 25 of them were sent to the Sunyani Magistrate Court ‘‘B’’, presided over by Mr J. Mensah.
He said the court then convicted nine of them to pay a total of GH¢900 and issued a bench warrant for the arrest of 16 while he directed the police to write warning letters to 13 others.
According to Mr Baah, his outfit would continue to instil discipline on the roads, especially with the approach of Christmas and even after the festivities.