Okada Crashes Kill 5

Five persons have lost their lives in accidents involving motorbikes in Accra since the beginning of the year.

ACP Alexander Fosu–Ackaah, Commanding Officer of the Accra Central Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), who disclosed this to DAILY GUIDE on Friday, said 41 persons also got injured in accidents involving Okadas during the period.

“A total of 60 accidents were recorded from January and mid-February alone, and out of the number, only 14 persons escaped unhurt.”

He disclosed that people who got severely injured were those who rode without licences, helmets and tried to jump red lights.

“The police are not restricting any person from using motorbikes in the country, but what we want is that a motor rider should be licensed, wear their crash helmets and obey traffic regulations as any other road user,” he averred.

He said most motor riders in the city do not have licences and usually violate traffic regulations.

He said a total of 114 Okada-related cases were recorded between January 4 and February 21, this year.

Out of the number, the MTTU Commanding officer said 81 of the cases were sent to court while 80 persons were convicted, with one currently facing trial.

“A total of GH₵55,840.00 were imposed by the court on suspects, but 33 persons received warning letters.”

He urged motor riders to obey traffic regulations to avoid accidents in the city.