A GOOD ONE THERE, MTTU (DEC 31, 2010)

DRIVING in any part of the world is a privilege enjoyed by those who wish to abide by the rules and not a right.
That is why in most advanced countries, depending on the particular driving offence, one’s driving licence can be withdrawn. The licence will only be given back upon evidence that the offender has shown commitment to go by the rules of driving.
It is a global requirement that only people of sound mind are given driving licences. However, in our part of the world, it seems rather weird that some motorists can fit into the category of “mad people”. Such is the driving behaviour of some Ghanaians that our roads have been turned into death traps. They cross red lights and breach other traffic regulations with impunity.
The decision by the Commander of the Motor Transport and Traffic Unit of the Ghana Police Service, ACP Angwubutoge Awuni, to arrest drivers speaking on the mobile phone is a very pragmatic move.
But that should not only be the focus of the MTTU. It is only in this country that many motor riders do not obey traffic regulations. These riders can go at you from the opposite direction, cross red lights with impunity and drive on walkways, tooting their horns at pedestrians when they do not have the right to drive on pedestrian walkways.
The statistics on motor accidents in the country indicate that 80 per cent of all accidents in the country are caused by human error. These are needless errors that a properly trained driver with the requisite discipline can avert at all cost.
In Ghana, you can count the number of commercial drivers, in particular, who have attained their driving licence from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA). Some of them obtain their driving licences through the back door.
Indiscipline on our roads has caused so much pain to families, maimed others, and ruined homes throughout the country.
These cannot be allowed to continue. The fight to stop this“madness” on our roads should not be left to the MTTU alone. Every Ghanaian is a potential victim of such careless driving. Therefore, we should all be concerned.
Equally important is the issue about our law enforcement agencies on the streets showing some high degree of professionalism. Reports of policemen unduly delaying law-abiding citizens so as to make them bend the rules are common in the public, not to mention the payment of bribes to some policemen.
The DAILY GRAPHIC, for its part, will create the platform, as well as the awareness, to ensure that life on the roads in our dear country is much safer and so would support efforts by the MTTU to do the right thing to ensure sanity on our roads.
In addition to jail terms, the DAILY GRAPHIC will recommend the revocation of licences and banning of careless drivers from our roads. We believe such an action will complement other efforts at curbing the “madness” on our roads.