Sixty tricycle riders illegally operating in the Cape Coast Metropolis were on Tuesday, July 6 arrested by the Central Regional Police Command during a special operation to clamp down on illegal activities.
The operation was targeted at these riders, many of whom are boys of school-going age, as well as others operating without a license or insurance certificates.
Regional Public Relations Officer DSP Irene Serwaah Oppong, briefing the media, expressed concerns about the rate at which people were being killed and injured by tricycles in the Metropolis.
She explained that punishment for riders who operated against the law was either to pay a fine of 25 penalty units or serve a jail term of 30 days, depending on which one the court decides.
She said those arrested would be prosecuted before the court.
DSP Oppong said the law does not permit tricycles to be used for commercial purposes in the country and any person who goes contrary to it must face the consequences.
She disclosed that 12 out of 25 riders arrested last month were being prosecuted.
DSP Oppong revealed that most of the accident cases recorded in the Metropolis within the first quarter of this year were caused by reckless and careless riders, and there was the need to expedite action to curtail further losses and damages.
She appealed to the public to desist from engaging tricycles for commercial purposes because it was harming a lot of lives and properties in the Metropolis.
“We are appealing to the public to stop patronizing tricycles since its usage was not safe for humans.“
She commended Nana Conduah VI, Omanhen of Edina Traditional Area for his decisiveness in banning commercial tricycles in his area and called on other leaders to reciprocate this action to support the Police.
She further pledged the unflinching support of the Police in maintaining peace as well as law and order in the region.
The joint operation was embarked on by officers from the counter-terrorism unit, operations unit and others from the SWAT.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5fm