Citizen Petitions IGP Over Reckless Driving on our roads

A private citizen, Mr. Kwabena Oppong Boateng, has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), calling for urgent and sustained enforcement action against what he describes as a dangerous surge in reckless driving and overspeeding on some of Accra’s busiest roads.

The petition sighted by The Chronicle, which was also copied to the Director of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), the Chief Executive of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), and the Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), paints a troubling picture of persistent traffic indiscipline, particularly along Jungle Avenue in East Legon, popularly known as the A&C Mall Road, and on the Aburi–Ayimensa highway.

Mr Oppong Boateng argues that without immediate and coordinated institutional intervention, public safety will continue to be severely compromised.

EAST LEGON TRAGEDY STILL FRESH

Central to the petition is the fatal accident that occurred in East Legon in October 2024, when an unlicensed 16-year-old driver crashed a high-powered vehicle, killing two young girls and injuring others.

The driver, reportedly the son of a prominent individual, was sentenced to six months’ detention, the maximum penalty under juvenile law, while fines were imposed on his guardians.

The incident generated national outrage and ignited debate about road safety enforcement, licensing compliance and parental responsibility.

However, Mr. Oppong Boateng contends that the heightened public attention that followed the tragedy did not translate into long-term enforcement measures on the ground.

“Despite the gravity of the tragedy, no enduring and visible enforcement mechanisms have been implemented along Jungle Avenue and other high-risk areas,” he stated in the petition.

According to him, over speeding remains a daily occurrence on the stretch, particularly during evenings and weekends, with high-powered and modified vehicles frequently racing through residential and commercial zones.

SPREADING CULTURE OF ROAD LAWLESSNESS

The petitioner further describes what he calls a growing culture of road indiscipline across Accra and surrounding regions. He cites recurring incidents on the Aburi–Ayimensa corridor, where drivers allegedly engage in excessive speeding and dangerous overtaking along mountainous terrain.

He also points to activities in areas such as James Town, where motorbike riders—some allegedly unlicensed and riding without helmets are said to perform risky stunts on Sundays and other peak periods, often without visible enforcement intervention.

Mr. Oppong Boateng argues that these behaviours are not isolated events, but rather symptoms of a broader enforcement gap that emboldens repeat offenders.

SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEOS AS RED FLAGS

The petition also references widely circulated videos on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, which show performance and modified vehicles being driven at high speeds on public roads.

In one such video, a luxury vehicle driver is seen filming himself while allegedly over speeding shortly before being involved in an accident at East Legon. Other clips reportedly show dangerous overtaking manoeuvres and high-speed driving along the Aburi corridor.

While acknowledging that social media footage may not constitute definitive legal proof of statutory offences, the petitioner maintains that the repeated appearance of such content demonstrates a worrying pattern of behaviour that places pedestrians, commuters and other motorists at grave risk.

He is, therefore, urging the Police to monitor publicly circulated footage and, where appropriate, invite individuals captured in such videos for questioning and possible prosecution under the Road Traffic Act.

CALL FOR MULTI-AGENCY RESPONSE

Mr. Oppong Boateng is advocating a coordinated, multi-agency response to what he describes as a mounting road safety crisis.

He is calling on the Ghana Police Service and the MTTD to deploy sustained traffic enforcement teams, mobile checkpoints and speed detection units in identified hotspots, including East Legon and the Aburi–Ayimensa stretch.

He further urges authorities to apply existing penalties for over speeding, careless and dangerous driving without exception or regard to social status.

To the NRSA, he recommends a comprehensive road safety audit of Jungle Avenue and other high-risk corridors, with the introduction of preventive engineering measures such as speed humps, rumble strips, enhanced signage and intensified public education campaigns targeting both drivers and pedestrians.

On the part of the DVLA, the petitioner calls for stricter compliance checks on modified and high-performance vehicles to ensure they meet roadworthiness standards before being licensed for public road use. He also suggests a review of licensing and enforcement protocols, including possible suspension or revocation of licences for repeat offenders.

PUBLIC SAFETY MUST COME FIRST

In his concluding remarks, Mr. Oppong Boateng stresses that the loss of young lives in the East Legon accident should serve as a turning point in Ghana’s approach to road safety enforcement.

He argues that road safety is a collective responsibility, but insists that statutory bodies must take the lead in enforcing laws and instituting preventive measures to protect citizens.

“The loss of young lives and the repeated evidence of reckless driving should serve as a catalyst for decisive and sustained action,” he stated.

 

 

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