Tricycle, motorcycle operators face arrest after August deadline for reflective stickers

Tricycle and motorcycle operators in the Greater Accra Region now face the possibility of arrest if they do not affix reflective stickers to their vehicles by the end of August. The Ghanaian authorities, including the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), are enforcing this safety measure to improve the visibility of motorcycles and tricycles, especially at night, and reduce road crashes.

According to Justice Cudjoe, the Accra Regional Manager of DVLA, the reflective stickers, along with helmets and reflective jackets, are essential safety requirements for operators. The cost of these reflective stickers should not exceed GH¢100. Failure to comply with the deadline by the end of August will result in arrests, as directed by the mayor.

The enforcement comes in response to increasing concerns regarding the use of motorcycles and tricycles on Ghanaian roads, including issues of visibility, adherence to safety regulations, and road accidents. Preliminary investigations into a recent fatal crash on the Accra-Nsawam highway have reportedly identified a tricycle operator as being involved in the incident.

To make the compliance process more accessible, the authorities have decentralized the exercise, allowing operators to visit their respective district offices and assemblies across the Greater Accra Region, rather than traveling to the DVLA headquarters in Accra. Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Ocloo emphasized that no one would need to travel to the main DVLA office to receive the necessary services.

The reflective stickers are anticipated to make motorcycles and tricycles more visible to other road users, particularly during nighttime hours, and aid in vehicle identification. The authorities are encouraging operators to adhere to the directive before the August 31 deadline to avoid enforcement action, as part of broader initiatives to enhance road safety within the Greater Accra Region and address concerns over road crashes and traffic regulation compliance.