In what appears to be an alarming trend, the roads of Accra have become a haunting ground for rickety vehicles endangering the lives of passengers and other road users.
In Ghana, it is estimated that road transport accounts for 96% of passenger and freight traffic and about 97% of passenger miles in the country according to the Private Enterprise Federation.
“Trotro,” the common means of transport in Ghana, constitutes the predominant means of land transportation, facilitating approximately 60 percent of passenger journeys. Taxis account for 14.5 percent of these travels, leaving private vehicles responsible for the remaining passenger traffic.
As I navigate the bustling roads of Accra, my observations have made it clear that these worn-out cars outnumber the sturdier ones, creating a cause for concern.
Frequent complaints are being heard from unhappy passengers who are troubled by the sorry state of these vehicles. However, due to financial limitations, they feel they have no choice but to brave the dangers that come with riding in these cars.
“Don’t mind the body, mind the engine,” is a saying that these drivers hold dear. They firmly believe that the engine is the heart of their vehicles, and they tend to overlook the worn-out appearance of the bodies.
The significant question is, ‘Why do these risky cars continue to populate our roads, putting both drivers and passengers at risk?’ Is there a gap in how responsibilities are carried out, or are drivers cleverly evading rules by using fake road-worthy certifications?
As of December 2021, data from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) in Ghana reveals that a staggering 3,026,073 vehicles have been registered in the country. However, a concerning statistic indicates that a significant portion of these vehicles, precisely 35 percent, equivalent to a staggering 1,025,125 vehicles, have failed to obtain the mandatory roadworthy certification as mandated by the law. This highlights a pressing issue in the nation’s vehicle safety and compliance standards.
The Road Traffic Regulations 2012 (L.I 2180) require motorists to submit their vehicles physically for inspection before receiving roadworthy certificates.
Interestingly, drivers of rickety vehicles at lorry terminals revealed that they used the backdoor to get roadworthy certificates, some of which were fake.
The big question remains: what measures are the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the Ghana Police Service taking to address the escalating issue of unroadworthy vehicles on our roads? Are they adopting a laissez-faire approach, effectively surrendering to the status quo, or are they actively working to combat this pressing concern?
It is imperative to ascertain whether these key stakeholders are adequately enforcing existing regulations and exploring innovative solutions to tackle the root causes of this problem, or if they have indeed conceded defeat in the face of this trend.
The situation calls for attention and understanding. People are curious about why these vehicles are allowed to continue operating, especially when safety is at stake. It’s not just about the appearance; it’s about the safety of everyone on the road.
MALISE DZIDZORM OMOLOYE
University of Media, Arts and Communication – Faculty of Journalism and Media Studies.
omoloyemalisekofi@gmail.com
