Man arrested for driving police car

By SYLVESTER WEMURU
A CIVILIAN was arrested by traffic police officers for driving a police vehicle during New Year’s Eve.
National Capital District Met Supt Perou N’dranou said the police officer who allowed the civilian to drive the vehicle would also be arrested and charged.
He said only permitted drivers with the blue permit could drive vehicles with a government number plate.
N’dranou said he was pleased with the police officers at a road block in Erima who checked the vehicle and asked the driver to provide his licence only to find he was unlicensed.
He said police officers through the country when approaching roadblocks should respect their colleagues and stop to be checked like other drivers.
He said police officers were not above the law and if they were caught committing traffic offences they would be charged.
Boroko traffic police officer-in-charge Chief Insp Joseph Salle said drivers need to have the required licence to drive the different types of vehicles including motor bikes.
He said a driver with a class one licence could not drive a vehicle that carried more than six passengers.
Salle said the driver would be seen as unlicensed.
He said a driver without a blue permit could not drive government marked vehicles because they were not permitted or licensed to drive those vehicles.
Traffic offences are straight forward where an offender is caught committing the offence.
Drivers should always make sure that their driving licence alway in their possession before driving the vehicle.
The registration and safety permit should be current when the vehicle is on the road.