The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) says it has begun an exercise across the country to remove illegal lamps from vehicles and initiate prosecution of offending drivers.

The exercise being carried out in collaboration with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority [DVLA] and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, follows the emergence of the use of unprescribed lamps by sections of drivers contrary to Regulations 65 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 [L.I. 2180).
According to the NRSA, the practice exposes other road users to the threat of crashes, especially at night.
A statement issued by the Authority said the exercise to enforce the law will commence soon and urged drivers and vehicle owners to voluntarily comply with the law to avoid any inconveniences.
The statement stated that Regulation 65 of L.I.2180 requires that;

Vehicles or trailers shall be equipped with electric lighted lamps or another kind as approved by the Licensing Authority;

A vehicle shall have two lamps in front with one on each side of the motor vehicle and placed in a manner that exhibits a white or yellow visible light within prescribed distance and to indicate the width of the vehicle;

Vehicles may be fitted with additional one or two auxiliary spots or flood lamps;

A driving lamp is not placed in a manner that allows the lamp to project above the bottom of the frame of the windscreen;

Though a maximum of four driving and spot or flood lamps are allowed, the electrical switching should be arranged to allow the use of only two of those lamps at a time.

During its exercise, offending drivers will be arrested and prosecuted.
Meanwhile, the National Road Safety Authority has advised drivers and vehicle owners “to voluntarily comply with the law to avoid any inconvenience.”

By: Isaac Clottey