MTTU ALARMED OVER DVD CARS …As drivers engage in new ‘carelessness’

In the transport industry, for example, no-one in Ghana, (passengers in particular), ever thought they could enjoy watching television while traveling, especially on long distance.

Now, modern technology has made that possible, easy and practicable. But, as usual, Ghanaians are abusing their newly found technological fruits. This has caused the Ashanti Regional Motor Transport and Traffic Unit, (MTTU) to express worry at the emerging practice of taxi drivers and other private salon car owners installing DVD players in their cars which they watch while driving.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, James Sarfo Peprah, told Public Agenda that there is a growing use of DVD players in salon cars, being used as taxis and described the practice as “alarming in the region, especially in Kumasi.” In an interview, DSP Peprah said the use of DVD in saloon cars is not advisable since “it can easily cause accidents.”

He explained that television sets used in buses are permissible, since they are placed at the back of the driver in order not to distract attention. DSP Peprah said DVD players currently seen in salon cars, are against all rules of defensive driving placed where drivers have access to them. There have been several instances where drivers who were watching television in their private cars were so focused on the movies that they failed to move their cars when the traffic light signaled green. The results were fatal accidents.

“This has the possibility of causing road accidents as the driver’s attention would be divided by watching the DVD, while driving at the same time.” DSP Peprah said “though there is no definite law banning the use of the gadget in saloon cars, the police will not encourage its use in salon cars.” The Regional Commander said “as part of measures towards bringing the rate of accident in the region under control, the MTTU has vowed to clamp down on the use of DVD players in saloon cars.”

He said that between January and August this year, the Ashanti Region recorded 1,385 reported cases of accident resulting in the death of 298 people. In a related development, a combined task force including officials of the MTTU and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority has been established to clamp down on the activities of people who falsify vehicle documents in the Ashanti Region.

According to the Regional MTTU Commander, DSP J.S. Peprah, some drivers of both commercial and private vehicles connive with unofficial workers popularly called “Goro Boys” to produce fake vehicle documents such as Insurance Stickers, Road Worthy Certificates and driving Licenses. The regional Commander said under Act 683 drivers are to produce insurance certificates to police on demand and failure to comply attracts a fine of five (5) million cedis.

DSP Peprah has therefore cautioned drivers and car owners to call at the DVLA offices for genuine documents rather than relying on the said “Goro Boys”. As the world becomes a village, as it is said these days, the fruits of technology are being savored in parts of the world where many years ago were mere dreams.