The IG emphasised that his office will be extra vigilant with such rogue officers and stated that they will be severely dealt with/FILE
He stated if it is ascertained they are involved in corruption which has compromised road safety leading to accidents that have left many maimed or dead, they will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
He further pointed out that this includes dismissal from the Police Service.
“The effectiveness and civility of traffic law enforcement will be taken as a major indication on those commanders who wish to embrace police reforms and those who have chosen to remain in the past. Actually, some officers are being investigated and if they are found guilty they have no option but to be dismissed,” he revealed.
The IG emphasised that his office will be extra vigilant with such rogue officers and stated that they will be severely dealt with.
“My office will not hesitate to take serious contemplated action for officers who will be compromised in all road accidents where serious injuries are caused resulting into maiming or death in line with the presidential directive as released by HE the President and also in accordance with the law,” he stated. “The police officers who fail to enforce traffic laws will be dismissed from the National Police Service.”
He outlined that one of the duties of an officer involves watching out for motorists causing obstructions or driving un-roadworthy vehicles.
“Traffic officers must be on the sharp lookout for the motorists who are speeding, transporting excess luggage or overloading passengers, causing road obstructions or driving un-roadworthy vehicles, or driving under influence of alcohol or drugs,” he said.
He further pointed out that PSV owners shall be held accountable for the accidents caused by their vehicles.
“The government will hold vehicle owners accountable to ensure their drivers and vehicles are in line with traffic rules and not their drivers alone whom their aim is to just carry as many passengers as possible and get to the next destination the soonest possible so that they can pocket more money. This applies to the screening of passenger that will be conducted randomly by police and I therefore request members of the public to cooperate,” he stated.
He further called on all Public Service Vehicles to drive to the nearest police station in the event of noticing any suspicious commuter(s) on board.
“In the event that the driver ignores the above security measures and the PSV vehicle is hijacked or carjacked and passengers are robbed, injured, killed or women raped the owner, drivers and conductors must be arrested,” he said.
He also warned passengers who board an overloaded vehicle that they will equally be charged because the law deems them to be culpable as well.
“This is not only for enforcement purposes but also for the benefit of passengers. All motorists and bus crews must not overload their vehicles. Your safety is in your hands. The ideal safe set-up is to have all vehicle occupants wearing seat belts. It is therefore unsafe and careless to be made to or to volunteer to stand or kneel along the aisle so that the transporters or crew can make “extra cash,” he said.
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