Cape Coast, Jan. 23, GNA - The Central Region Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service realised 177.8 million cedis from fines imposed on drivers for various traffic and road accidents last year as compared to 322 million cedis in 2005. Chief Superintendent of Police, Charles Oduro-Botchwey, Central Regional MTTU Commander, who disclosed this to the GNA in an interview at Cape Coast on Tuesday, said 444 traffic and motor accident cases were taken to court last year as against 877 cases in 2005. He said 307 of the offenders were convicted while 107 cases were pending, 530 cases still under investigations and 30 of the offenders were acquitted.

Mr Oduro-Botchwey said 501 traffic offences were recorded last year as against 947 in 2005, while 600 motor accident cases were recorded last year as against 1,025 cases in 2005.

He said 937 vehicles were involved in road accidents out of which 130 people died last year as against 1,375 road accidents resulting in the deaths of 208 people in 2005.

"About 780 accident victims received injuries last year as against 1,436 in 2005," he added.

The Central Regional MTTU Commander said 93 fatal cases, 181 serious cases and 326 minor road accident cases were recorded last year as against 146 fatal, 280 serious and 599 minor road accident cases in 2005.

Mr Oduro-Botchwey said within Cape Coast Municipality, 110 drivers were arrested for using expired documents, 65 for stopping at unauthorized places, 62 for over speeding, nine driving with invalid licences while seven for using rickety vehicles and another seven for using unregistered vehicles as well as 299 other traffic offences recorded in 2005.

He said last year, 69 drivers were arrested for over speeding, 70 for using private licence to drive commercial vehicles, 52 failed to pay income tax, 45 failed to stop at police check points, 35 for picking passengers at unauthorized places, 21 for causing road obstruction and 198 for other traffic offences.

Mr Oduro-Botchwey expressed appreciation about the reduction in road accidents in the region and commended drivers for their efforts. He noted that with intensified road patrols, regular workshops and seminars for drivers would lead to a dramatic reduction in road accidents in the region.

Mr Oduro-Botchwey called on drivers especially those who ply the Mallam-Yamoransa road to observe traffic rules, regulations, avoid over speeding, endeavour to maintain their vehicles regularly and avoid using worn out tyres.

He warned MTTU personnel who extorted money from drivers to desist from the practice and asked drivers and other road users to report MTTU personnel who indulged in such practice to the appropriate quarters for the necessary action to be taken against them.

Mr Oduro-Botchwey said the MTTU would continue to intensify its road patrols, workshops and seminars for drivers to further reduce road accidents in the region. 23 Jan. 07