A new Legislative Instrument (L.I) has been laid before Parliament aimed at amending portions of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012 to allow Members of Parliament (MPs) and Ministers of State to use sirens in their cars.
Ministers, MPs and other officials were banned from using sirens in their cars after Parliament passed into law the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2020 which introduces stiffer punishment for road traffic offenders in December 2020.
But the new amendment of Regulation 74 of LI 2180 will permit: 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.
“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’ ‘.
Regulation 74 of L.I. 2180 amended
39. 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,”.
Moreover, the following categories to people are exempted from speed limit while driving.
Permit or a license issued under the Act are being complied with”,
Regulation 165 of L.I. 2180 amended
53. The principal enactment is amended in regulation 165 by the substitution for subregulation (3), of
(3) The Regulatory Authority or its authorised agents in collaboration with the Licensing Authority, the Police and the National Insurance Commission shall introduce speed cameras, safety signage and other measures to facilitate compliance with these Regulations’.
Regulation 166 of L.I. 2180 amended
54. The principal enactment is amended by the substitution for regulation 166, of
“Exemption from speed limit
166. The speed limits on a motor vehicle specified in these Regulations does not apply to,
(a) a motor vehicle, when the motor vehicle is being used in the performance of official functions 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;
(vii) Members of Parliament;
(viii) the Ghana National Fire Service;
(ix) the National Ambulance Service;
(x) the Police Service;
(xi) the Armed Forces;
(xii) the Prisons Service; and
(xiii) other recognised Government security agencies;
(b) an ambulance used by a hospital or clinic;
(c) a bullion vehicle registered by the Licensing Authority; or
(d) a motor vehicle, if adherence to those provisions may hinder the purpose for which the motor vehicle is being used.”
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
