Apam (C/R), Oct 4, GNA - The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and other drivers Unions have been reminded that it is an offence to allow people below the age of 25 years to drive commercial vehicles.

Police Superintendent Oduro Amaning, Apam District Police Commander who gave the reminder, cautioned the leadership of the Unions and the police to ensure compliance of the law to minimize the carnage on the roads.

Supt Amaning was addressing a forum organized for drivers at Apam to revise Road Traffic Regulations Act, Act 683 of 2004 to keep drivers in tune. Supt Amaning admonished the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit of the Ghana Police Service to clamp down on drivers who infringe on the laws and appealed to drivers to do the right thing instead of influencing the police to overlook their offences. The Police Commander expressed worry about the carnage on the roads and cautioned drivers to make it their concern to reduce the high rate of accidents.

He noted with concern that drivers, after obtaining their licences road signs became meaningless to them and urged them to make the signs their guide all the time. "You cannot call yourself a good driver when you disregard road signs," the Police Commander stated, and reminded them that "a good driver is not the one who drives at top speed but the one who arrives at his destination safely."

The Police Commander also talked on the importance of the use of the seat belt by both drivers and the people using the front seats. He cautioned drivers against driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and urged them not to drive when they were not in the right frame of the mind. Supt Amaning advised drivers to have enough rest and not to drive when tired. Mr John Coffie, Chairman of the Apam branch of the GPRTU, expressed gratitude to the Police Commander for organizing the forum, and urged him to make it a regular affair to keep drivers on their guard. He gave the assurance that the Union would do everything to ensure an accident-free year.