A new Legislative Instrument (L.I) which was aimed at allowing Members of Parliament (MPs) and Ministers of State to use sirens in their cars and also drive without a speed limit has been withdrawn.
The Road Traffic Amendment Regulation 74 of LI 2180 was to permit categories of people such as Members of Parliament, Head of State, Justices of the Supreme Court, Ministers of State and others to use siren or bell as a warning appliance.
But Speaking at Parliament, the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, who withdrew the LI on behalf of the Transport Minister, said the decision was based on extensive engagement with leadership.
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to move that the Road Traffic Amendment Regulations 2024, which was laid on Friday, June 14, be withdrawn. Mr. Speaker it has become necessary based on extensive engagement with leadership. It is so withdrawn, Mr. Speaker” He said.
The new L.I previously stated that “A person who drives a motorcycle which does not have a side-car shall ensure that the motorcycle has at least one lamp and reflectors in front constructed and placed in a manner that reveals a white or yellow light that is visible within a reasonable distance in the direction towards which the motorcycle faces’
The principal enactment is amended in regulation 74 by the substitution for subregulation (3), of
“(3) Despite subregulation (1), a siren or bell may be fitted as a warning appliance and used on the following classes of motor vehicles:
(a) a motor vehicle used for official purposes by
(i) the Head of State
(ii) the Vice President
(iii) the Speaker of Parliament
(iv) the Chief Justice
(V) Ministers of State
(vi) Justices of the Supreme Court; and
(vii) Members of Parliament;
(b) a Police Service Vehicle;
(c) a motor vehicle used by the Ghana National Fire Service;
(d) a motor vehicle used by the National Ambulance Service;
(e) a motor vehicle used as an ambulance by a hospital or clinic;
(f) a motor vehicle used by other recognised Government security agencies; and
(g) a bullion vehicle registered by the Licensing Authority,”.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
