Kumasi, Nov. 10, GNA- Mr. Kwaku Ayesu Opare-Addo, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) and Ashanti Regional Police Commander, has directed that the period for ban on the movement of heavy duty vehicles above three tonnes within the hours of 6a.m to 6p.m in the region has been changed to 10p.m to 6a.m The ban on heavy duty vehicles was imposed by the Ashanti Regional Police Commander in July this year as a result of many accidents on the roads leading to loss of lives. This ban has seriously affected the work of heavy duty trucks and their drivers and the association therefore made a petition to the Police Commander to review the ban to some extent to help them go about their duties with some ease.

Mr Opare-Addo, announced this at a meeting with the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu -Ansah, and the members of the Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Haulage Transport Drivers Association (GHDTA) in Kumasi on Monday. He stated that most accidents on the roads were caused by heavy vehicles and normally occurred between Kumasi-Accra road more, especially along Juaso area and said the ban was therefore to help check and minimize road accidents to save lives. Mr Opare-Addo said the decision by the police to make changes in the ban was because of the interest of the people and however warned the Association to educate their members on the causes of accidents such as speeding, over-taking, overloading and others. The Police Commander stated that checking of accidents should not be the responsibility of the police alone and therefore called on the public to also help check the menace. Mr Owusu-Ansah said the law has no respect for persons and stressed the need for the people to abide by laws to maintain peace, order and harmony in the country.

He noted that the fact that there has been change in the ban should not make drivers swollen headed and asked them to adopt effective measures to curb road accidents as Christmas is approaching The Regional Minster appealed to the Association to organise in-service training courses for its members to sensitize them on the need to avoid accidents.

Mr Asiedu Berchie, Regional Chairman of the Association thanked the Police Commander and the Minister for responding to their request and pledged to educate their members through road safety campaigns to reduce the increasing spate of road accidents. 10 Nov. 08