“Traffic Police: Things to Remember”

"The Police cannot inspect or search your car without a warrant'.

FALSE

An examiner, an authorised vehicle inspector appointed by @DVLAGhofficial, or a @GhPoliceService police officer may inspect a vehicle to ascertain whether you have complied with all traffic or laws relating to the operation of a vehicle.

The police may inspect your vehicle to ascertain whether you have complied with all permits regarding the use of a vehicle. Where a person has not complied with the requisite law, an officer not below the rank of Inspector may order in writing to prohibit the use of the vehicle.

"No traffic officer is allowed to get and keep your license, they are only allowed to get your details off it. You are not required to have a category (professional driving permit) if you are driving a vehicle for private use."

FALSE

A police officer in uniform and not below the rank of an Inspector, may where necessary, retain your driver’s licence for the period that that licence is required and is mandated to issue an official receipt for the retention of the license.

"If you do not have your licence on you, no police officer is allowed to charge you on the spot. You should be given time to produce it (according to the law its 21 days)."

FALSE

A person can only drive a vehicle if the person has a Learners Licence or Drivers Licence. A driver is required to carry the original licence whilst driving. On the request by a police officer in uniform or an authorised officer of the DVLA, the driver is required to produce;

the driver’s licence that authorises that person to drive the motor vehicle for inspection. If you do not have the licence on you, the police officer MAY request that you produce it within 24 hours at a police station or to another police officer as may be directed by the officer

"When stopped for speeding, there is an allowance of up to 8kms above the speed limit. You should not be charged for over speeding."

FLASE

Unless otherwise indicated by the Ghana Highway Authority, a person driving a motor vehicle must not exceed the maximum permissible speed limit. Fifty kilometres per hour is fifty kilometres per hour. There is no allowance.

the law imposes another responsibility on drivers to drive a motor vehicle at speed lower than what is indicated on the road “if the actual and potential hazards relating to the environmental conditions then existing require the motor vehicle to be driven at a lesser speed”.

For example, you are required to slow down at zebra crossings and traffic intersections. It is an offence to breach the speed limits.