Police net 50 drivers in crackdown on illegal vehicle lights along Kasoa-Winneba Highway

The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Central East Regional Police Command has arrested 50 drivers in a rigorous enforcement operation targeting unauthorized vehicle lighting systems along the Kasoa-Winneba Highway, with 37 of the offenders already prosecuted.

The operation, which commenced last week, comes after several months of extensive public education and repeated warnings by the police. Despite the sensitization campaigns, officers observed a persistent disregard for the law, prompting a shift from education to strict enforcement.

According to police sources, the exercise specifically targeted motorists who had fitted their vehicles with LED fog lights, strobe lights, and sirens without the requisite statutory authorisation. Such modifications are in direct contravention of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180), which strictly prohibits the attachment and use of unapproved lighting devices on public roads.

Court Proceedings and Penalties

Of the 50 drivers arrested, 37 have already been processed through the Akweley Magistrate Court in Kasoa.

Court records show that last Friday, 28 of the offenders appeared before the bench. Of that number, 17 were fined for their infractions, nine were given formal cautions, while the cases of the remaining two were adjourned. The enforcement action continued into Monday, with 18 additional drivers brought before the court. Sixteen of these offenders were fined, while two failed to appear, leaving their cases pending.

The police have not disclosed the specific fine amounts, but sources indicate that the penalties are commensurate with the severity of the offenses under L.I. 2180.

Dangers and Public Safety Concerns

The crackdown has been welcomed by road safety advocates, who have long highlighted the hazards posed by unapproved lights. High-intensity LED fog lights, often improperly aimed, produce blinding glare that compromises the vision of oncoming drivers, significantly increasing the risk of head-on collisions—especially on busy routes like the Kasoa-Winneba Highway, a major artery connecting the Central Region to the national capital.

Furthermore, the use of unauthorized strobe lights and sirens creates confusion, mimicking emergency response vehicles and potentially delaying genuine rescue operations during accidents or medical emergencies.

Police Vow to Sustain Enforcement

Speaking on the operation, the Regional MTTD Commander reiterated that the decision to prosecute was taken only after months of cautionary measures failed to yield results.

“We gave motorists ample time to regularize their vehicles, but the practice persisted. The safety of all road users is non-negotiable,” a police spokesperson stated.

The command has issued a stern warning to the motoring public: all unauthorized lighting systems must be removed immediately. Officers have made it clear that the enforcement exercise will not be a one-off event but will continue indefinitely until sanity is fully restored on the roads.

Motorists are urged to adhere to the regulations to avoid arrest, prosecution, and the associated legal costs. The police have assured the public that further checkpoints and random spot checks will be conducted across the Kasoa-Winneba stretch and other key routes within the region.