CHRI empowers commercial drivers on the law
Gilbert Boyefio
12/02/09
It is an established fact that human error is a major contributory factor to most of the accidents and the loss of human life and property on the road. To help address this unfortunate situation, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, an international and independence Non Governmental Organization has embark on a workshop for commercial drivers on traffic regulations.
The workshop which began with commercial drivers in the Accra Metropolis was yesterday replicated at Kasoa in the Awutu Senya District.
The objective of this workshop is to help create and increase awareness amongst commercial drivers on the laws regulating motor traffic in Ghana.
According to Nana Oye Lithur, Regional Coordinator, CHRI Africa Office, research conducted by her outfit last year on the motor court revealed that most of the commercial drivers prosecuted at the court do not know the law and to compound the situation were not given access to legal representation.
She disclosed that this led CHRI to publish a brochure on the rights and duties of commercial drivers. She said the brochure would ensure that commercial drivers are aware that the police must respect their rights.
Excerpt of the brochure which enumerate the duties of drivers in case of accident are; to immediately stop their vehicle, and produce if asked by a police officer, their name and address, the vehicle owner’s name and address, and the vehicle’s insurance and road use certificates. It further states that if the person is unconscious or injured, the driver must help him get medical attention and report the accident to the police station as soon as possible.
Some of the responsibilities of drivers indicates in the brochure are that owners of vehicles should always keep their vehicle insurance stickers displayed so it can be seen by anybody standing close to the vehicle; that vehicles being used on the road should be registered, licensed and have a road use certificate and sticker.
The brochure also indicates that the police cannot take a driver’s license unless it has already been revoked by the Licensing Authority. If it has been revoked, the police can only take the driver’s license so to deliver it to the DVLA; but they cannot keep it or send it to the Police Station. The police are not allowed to take off a driver’s vehicle stickers, like his insurance certificate, if the driver does not provide his driving license. According to the brochure, “If you do not have your license, certificate or any other documents with you, you have 24 hours to produce them at a police station.”
Speaking on the topic “Fostering a better relationship between the police and drivers”, the District Police Commander, Superintendent Isaac Kofi Boabeng, noted that commercial drivers are a rich source of information and better informant since they get to know a lot of things. He further noted that about 90% of stolen items are carted by vehicle; hence, drivers are valuable to the police, and therefore the need to cooperate with each other.
He mentioned floating drivers and drivers who learn from their masters and not a driving school as the major headache of the police since they are the cause of most accidents.
He promised that, “The police would be reasonable, flexible and fair but firm in dealing with commercial drivers.”
12/02/09
It is an established fact that human error is a major contributory factor to most of the accidents and the loss of human life and property on the road. To help address this unfortunate situation, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, an international and independence Non Governmental Organization has embark on a workshop for commercial drivers on traffic regulations.
The workshop which began with commercial drivers in the Accra Metropolis was yesterday replicated at Kasoa in the Awutu Senya District.
The objective of this workshop is to help create and increase awareness amongst commercial drivers on the laws regulating motor traffic in Ghana.
According to Nana Oye Lithur, Regional Coordinator, CHRI Africa Office, research conducted by her outfit last year on the motor court revealed that most of the commercial drivers prosecuted at the court do not know the law and to compound the situation were not given access to legal representation.
She disclosed that this led CHRI to publish a brochure on the rights and duties of commercial drivers. She said the brochure would ensure that commercial drivers are aware that the police must respect their rights.
Excerpt of the brochure which enumerate the duties of drivers in case of accident are; to immediately stop their vehicle, and produce if asked by a police officer, their name and address, the vehicle owner’s name and address, and the vehicle’s insurance and road use certificates. It further states that if the person is unconscious or injured, the driver must help him get medical attention and report the accident to the police station as soon as possible.
Some of the responsibilities of drivers indicates in the brochure are that owners of vehicles should always keep their vehicle insurance stickers displayed so it can be seen by anybody standing close to the vehicle; that vehicles being used on the road should be registered, licensed and have a road use certificate and sticker.
The brochure also indicates that the police cannot take a driver’s license unless it has already been revoked by the Licensing Authority. If it has been revoked, the police can only take the driver’s license so to deliver it to the DVLA; but they cannot keep it or send it to the Police Station. The police are not allowed to take off a driver’s vehicle stickers, like his insurance certificate, if the driver does not provide his driving license. According to the brochure, “If you do not have your license, certificate or any other documents with you, you have 24 hours to produce them at a police station.”
Speaking on the topic “Fostering a better relationship between the police and drivers”, the District Police Commander, Superintendent Isaac Kofi Boabeng, noted that commercial drivers are a rich source of information and better informant since they get to know a lot of things. He further noted that about 90% of stolen items are carted by vehicle; hence, drivers are valuable to the police, and therefore the need to cooperate with each other.
He mentioned floating drivers and drivers who learn from their masters and not a driving school as the major headache of the police since they are the cause of most accidents.
He promised that, “The police would be reasonable, flexible and fair but firm in dealing with commercial drivers.”
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