By Zobia Zulfqar 
The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service has impounded about 6,000 vehicles and seized hundreds of illegal sirens, beacon lights and other unauthorized lamps as part of a nationwide enforcement exercise aimed at improving road safety and ensuring compliance with traffic regulations.
The operation, which began about a month ago, has now been expanded to cover all 25 police regions across the country.
According to the Police, the exercise is targeting motorists who have installed unauthorized emergency equipment on their vehicles, including sirens, strobe lights, beacon lamps and other devices reserved for emergency and security services.
Speaking on Citi News Digest on Saturday, July 18, the Director of Education, Research and Training at the MTTD, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Alexander Kwaku Obeng, said the nationwide operation has uncovered widespread abuse of emergency warning equipment by drivers.
He explained that many motorists have been using illegal sirens and flashing lights without authorization, creating confusion on the roads and putting other road users at risk.
“We have intercepted about 6,000 vehicles from which sirens, beacon lights and other unlawful lamps have been seized. About 700 of these are strobes or sirens, and that tells you the magnitude of the problem,” ACP Obeng said.
According to him, the large number of vehicles intercepted within a relatively short period shows that the misuse of emergency lighting equipment has become a serious national concern.
He said the operation has revealed that unauthorized sirens and flashing lights are being used by private motorists in different parts of the country, despite laws restricting their use to approved emergency services.
ACP Obeng stressed that the Police are committed to sustaining the enforcement exercise until motorists fully comply with the law.
He disclosed that the operation has now been extended beyond regional commands to divisional levels to ensure broader coverage and more effective enforcement.
The MTTD believes the expanded operation will help identify more vehicles fitted with illegal equipment and discourage drivers from violating traffic regulations.
The Police have also warned motorists against purchasing, installing or using unauthorized sirens, beacon lights or strobe lamps.
According to ACP Obeng, officers will continue conducting regular surveillance on major highways, urban roads and other strategic locations across the country.
He said motorists found using illegal emergency equipment will face the appropriate sanctions under Ghana’s road traffic laws.
The MTTD noted that emergency warning devices such as sirens and beacon lights are intended for specific categories of vehicles, including ambulances, fire engines, police vehicles and other authorized emergency responders.
When private motorists illegally install such equipment, it can mislead other drivers, disrupt traffic flow and create unnecessary safety risks.
The Police explained that some motorists use flashing lights and sirens to force their way through traffic or obtain priority on congested roads, even though they have no legal authority to do so.
Officials say this behaviour not only undermines respect for genuine emergency vehicles but also increases the likelihood of road crashes.
Road safety experts have repeatedly warned that unauthorized use of emergency equipment can confuse drivers who may struggle to distinguish legitimate emergency responders from ordinary vehicles.
This confusion can delay the movement of ambulances, fire service vehicles and police patrols responding to genuine emergencies.
The nationwide enforcement campaign forms part of broader efforts by the Ghana Police Service to improve discipline on the roads and reduce traffic violations.
In recent months, the Police have intensified operations targeting dangerous driving, overloaded vehicles, unlicensed drivers and other offences that contribute to road accidents.
The MTTD says public education remains an important part of the campaign alongside enforcement.
ACP Obeng encouraged motorists to familiarize themselves with the country’s traffic regulations and avoid modifications that violate the law.
He also appealed to vehicle owners, importers and auto accessory dealers not to sell or install unauthorized emergency equipment on private vehicles.
The Police believe stronger enforcement, combined with increased public awareness, will improve compliance and make Ghana’s roads safer for all users.
As the operation continues across all 25 police regions, the MTTD has assured the public that officers will maintain constant surveillance and intensify inspections to identify vehicles fitted with illegal sirens, beacon lights and other prohibited equipment.
The Ghana Police Service has urged motorists to cooperate with officers during inspections and to remove any unauthorized devices from their vehicles to avoid sanctions as the nationwide crackdown continues.
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