There was near pandemonium in Ashaiman municipality in the Greater Accra Region yesterday when police officers from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Tema Regional Police Command impounded over two hundred and nine (209) motorbikes for traffic offences.
The impounded motorbikes, according to the police, belong to operators of illegal commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, dispatch riders and individuals.
Their offence, the police said, was crossing the red lights at the various traffic intersections in Ashaiman municipality.
However, the operation, which took place simultaneously at Ashaiman and Michel Camp by the MTTD from 6:30 a.m., to 9:30 a.m., created some confusion.
Some of the motor riders who were not ready to surrender engaged the police in verbal attacks.
The situation attracted the attention of other road users including hawkers who were supposed to be busily selling their wares.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) at Tema District Police Command, Mr. Boadu Peprah, who led the operation, told journalists that some of the offenders did not have license, while others did not have license plates embossed on their bikes.
According to the police, others too were riding without helmets.
ASP Peprah said the exercise was mainly targeted at motor riders who failed to stop at traffic intersections when the light turned red.
He stated that “it is illegal to cross the red light, adding that the operation was aimed at sending a strong warning message to all motor riders that they cannot jump the red light and go scot free.”
Briefing the media after the exercise, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Tema Regional Police command, ASP Juliana Obeng, reiterated the police’s commitment to continue the exercise in the area to ensure that “motor riders and other road users abide by road traffic laws.”
She cautioned the general public to desist from engaging the services of illegal commercial motor riders.
Meanwhile, as at the time of going to press, Today gathered that the owners of the impounded motorbikes were being processed for court.
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