Drivers must err on the side of caution as the road traffic amendment bill was passed

General news for Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Source: rainbowradioonline.com

2020-12-22

Ghana Police Service MTTD Director of Education, Research and Training Superintendent Alexander Obeng has asked Ghanaian drivers to take note of the 2020 Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, which has become law.

Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, he explained that the law will provide harsher punishment for traffic violators whose actions will lead to the death of a fetus.

The senior police officer asked the drivers to keep abreast of the law and to be cautious not to break the law.

The bill is historic because it is the first time that a private member bill proposed by Members of Parliament (MP) has been passed by Parliament.

The bill amends the Road Traffic Law of 2004 (Law 683) to establish penalties against drivers and cyclists whose actions and omissions cause injury or death of unborn children in the womb of pregnant mothers.

The Road Traffic Act 2004 (Law 683), which was later amended by the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2008 (Law 761), generally provides for the protection of children. But the law is silent about legal recourse for an unborn baby when a traffic accident occurs.

The bill amends Section 1 of the original Act to prohibit a motor vehicle driver from dangerously driving on a highway that results in the death of a person, including an unborn child. A driver commits an offense if he drives dangerously on the road that results in the death of a person, including a fetus.

The driver has a summary sentence subject to a prison term of not less than three years and not more than seven years if his actions or inactions harm the unborn fetus. This is independent of the penalties that the traffic offender may receive for death or injury caused to the pregnant mother herself.

Similarly, a person who rides a bicycle dangerously on a highway that results in the death of an unborn child commits a crime and is liable, on summary sentence, for a prison sentence of not less than three years and not more than seven years.

Clause 3 of the amendment bill amends the original law to impose on the driver of a motor vehicle the duty to, as soon as reasonably possible, inform a police station of the occurrence of an accident resulting in the death of a fetus.

Article 108 of the Constitution states categorically that Parliament will not proceed with a bill imposing a charge on the Consolidated Fund or other public funds of Ghana unless the bill is introduced by the President or on his behalf.

In reaction to this, Superintendent Alexander Obeng said that collaboration from the drivers will be needed for the implementation to be successful.

In addition, he recommended that drivers respect road regulations to help reduce road accidents in the country.