Some by-laws and regulations
have become latent because their enforcement is beyond those responsible for
the task.
Commercial motorbike commuting
is an infringement of the law yet it is the most patronized by those who want
to get to places swiftly within the city.
There are, however, many things
wrong with their operation which calls for a rethink about the seeming indifference
on the part of officialdom.
Many of the riders of the
motorbikes who criss-cross Accra’s busy streets and roads are creating a lot of
nuisance because of their ignorance of road traffic regulations and sometimes
stupid bravado as they jump traffic lights. Pillion riders who suffer serious
injuries when accidents occur are lame ducks as their fate is left in the hands
of the riders.
They are in a hurry to deliver
their passengers because that is how they make more money the dangers posed
notwithstanding.
At first, attempts were made to
enforce the law on the commercial motorbike commuting but after sometime it was
stopped as though government had legalized the business.
The political undertones that
come with the enforcement of the law related to Okada operations cannot be
ignored in our circumstances. Many are they who would rather the dangers are ignored
because that inures to their political leverage. Their double-standards would
push them to pitch camp with the riders when that suits them.
Many have died and others
maimed through Okada-related accidents and unfortunately still counting. We
must as a country review the legislation on their operations if we want to
allow them. In that case, therefore there must be a regulation about their
operations. Some of the riders do not
even know that they require licences to ride motorbikes. After all, they ply
the roads and should therefore be conversant with road traffic regulations.
Unfortunately, many of the riders think they are exempted from obeying such
regulations and hardly stop at traffic lights when they have to, resulting in
fatalities sometimes.
A few months ago, the Central
Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service
reportedly organized some lessons for selected Okada riders. We could not
resist asking whether that was a subtle legalization of the occupation.
From all indications, the
occupation has come to stay and we must accept the reality and move on because
after all it appears we have given up on them. What a shame when the disadvantages
outweigh the advantages.
It is a sad reflection about
how law enforcement is not receiving the necessary push from those responsible
for it.
The enforcers have a story to
tell too: they often encounter interferences from politicians. While that can
be true, some law enforcement agents too do not only patronize the Okadas they
own them.
Okada riders must learn about
safety procedures such as the importance of using helmets and observing traffic
regulations, among others. Above all, they must be licenced if they must share
the roads with both pedestrians and motorists.
The post Okada Menace: What Can We Do? appeared first on DailyGuide Network.
