LL Police impound over 200 non-roadworthy vehicles

Traffic police officers in Lilongwe have since Monday carried out vehicle spot checks which saw more than 200 mini buses and other vehicles impounded.

By lunch-hour on Monday, the first day of the exercise, there were many impounded vehicles at the Central Region Traffic Offices car park, some six hours after the operation had begun. The pattern has been similar on the other days, including yesterday.

Among those netted were drivers driving without licences or whose vehicles did not have road and vehicle tax certificates. Others were caught for exceeding their vehicles’ passenger limits.

Clearly desperate to extricate themselves from the painful experience of losing the revenue they collect during normal daily operations, most mini bus drivers could be heard speaking on cellphones, updating their employers of their predicament and seeking permission, and means, to pay the needed fines –so that the released vehicles could return to the roads.

The pattern during the week has been that soon after 1pm, most of the drivers and conductors secure the money needed to pay the fines.

“By detaining our mini bus for almost half a day today, the traffic police officers have truly hit me in the stomach. My bwana (employer) may end up dismissing me today,” lamented a mini bus driver after he paid his fine.

He was referring to the fact that the ‘non-negotiable’ daily revenue target the mini bus owner gives him would not be met, what with the sum he had subtracted from the limited morning income. He was also indirectly confessing that the apparent overloading charge he had committed was to be borne personally, perhaps for trying to reach his target through illegal means.

Central Region Police spokesperson Ramsy Mushani said this week’s enhanced vehicle spot checks signalled the beginning of the Police Traffic Department’s all-out effort to improve road safety not only in the Capital City’s roads but also in all other Central Region districts.

He said: “Just before, during and after the festive holidays of Christmas and New Year, we tend to experience many road accidents. This exercise is designed to prevent such accidents which have, regrettably, killed and maimed many citizens.”

Mushani, therefore, advised the drivers to always have driving licenses with them, ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy and not to overload their vehicles. n