The Airport Divisional Police Command has arrested 52 motorcycle riders for allegedly engaging in unlawful motorcycle racing along the George Walker Bush Highway near Villaggio in Accra.
The arrests were made on Sunday, July 26, during a police operation that also led to the seizure of 71 motorcycles. The impounded motorcycles included 25 registered Royal motorcycles, 26 unregistered Royal motorcycles, five power bikes and 15 scooters.
A statement signed by Chief Superintendent Juliana Obeng, Head of Public Affairs of the Accra Regional Police Command, said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were riders from Accra and other locations who had travelled to the capital to participate in the activity.
The statement indicated that some of the riders were believed to have come from Nsawam, Kasoa, Tema, Ashaiman and Koforidua.
According to the police, the suspects had converged on the highway to engage in illegal motorcycle racing and other related activities.
The police statement said the actions of the riders disrupted other road users and created risks for motorists, pedestrians and members of the public who used the highway.
The arrested persons are currently in police custody assisting with investigations and will be processed for court, the statement added.
They are expected to face charges including careless and inconsiderate riding, dangerous riding, unlawful motor racing, failure to wear protective crash helmets, riding without a valid rider’s licence, using unregistered motorcycles, failure to obtain compulsory motor insurance and other related road traffic offences.
The Accra Regional Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing road traffic laws and protecting the safety of all road users.
It further appealed to the public to comply with road traffic regulations and report unlawful activities to the nearest police station or through the Police emergency numbers for redress.
