Proposed Road Traffic Regulation Amendment Withdrawn

The Transport Minister, Hon Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, has withdrawn the proposed Road Traffic Regulation Amendment following clear public dissatisfaction.

In Parliament on July 16, 2024, the Minister through the Member of Parliament for Techiman South Constituency, Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah announced the withdrawal of the Bill which was awaiting maturation.

“Mr Speaker, I rise to move that the Road Traffic Regulation Amendment 2024, which was laid on Friday, June 14, 2024, be withdrawn. Mr. Speaker, this has become necessary based on extensive engagement with leadership. Therefore, it is so withdrawn,” he is quoted to have said by CNR.

Amendment
The Transport Minister was among other things seeking to privilege lawmakers and Ministers to fit a siren or a bell as a warning appliance in their vehicles and insulate them from the speed limit in the proposed amendment.

Defence
It was however defended by the Member of Parliament of Asante Akim North, Hon Andy Appiah Kubi, who argued it will enable Members of Parliament and Ministers to effectively execute their mandate in a timely manner without road traffic hindrances.

According to him, they will be able to meet deadlines and avoid repercussions.

He also noted that this privilege as enjoyed by some Article 71 Office holders ought to be extended to all members.

“Let us not forget {that} if deadlines are not met, it goes to undermine the performance of such public officers or Ministries or institutions to the detriment of the expectations of the general public. If there is any justification in giving special access to any of the Article 71 office holders, then it is presumed that all the Members of the Article 71 Office holders ought to be given the same access in the discharge of their duties then we can expect that productivity will improve because they are not impeded on the road.”

He further made reference to instances where some Ministers and legislators were arrested for violating the road traffic regulations while trying to meet the deadline and make it to the Parliament.

“We have witnessed cases where some MPs, State Ministers and even some judges have been arrested on the road because they are trying to meet their work schedule and when you go to the police, the Attorney General and the IGP, they say they implemented the law as given and so can’t help the situation. The remedy is to amend the law to make it lawful for people like that to have special access when necessary.”

Opposition
The move was opposed by the Bureau of Public Safety as well as other individuals who called for its withdrawal.

In a statement, the Minority in Parliament who according to reports egged the Minister on to include the sirens and no speed limit for MPs, announced their support for the stance of the public and joined in the call for its immediate withdrawal.