Police warns owners to ensure vehicles are roadworthy

MOROBE police commander Supt Augustine Wampe wants vehicle owners to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before driving them on public roads.
Wampe made this call yesterday following a number of fatal accidents in the province this month, with at least 11 people killed over the past couple of weeks and several more injured and recovering in hospitals.
The latest incident happened on Friday when a company truck and a PMV bus collided, killing three people and injuring 20.
“I want vehicles owners, whether they are individuals, companies or government institutions, to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before they bring them out on the roads,” Wampe said.
“Unroadworthy vehicles on our roads are causing a lot of accidents.
“Vehicle owners have a duty towards the people they are carrying in their vehicles so they have to fix their vehicles properly before driving them on public roads.”
The Morobe police commander also appealed to drivers not to drink alcohol and drive, saying it was highly risky.
“Speeding is also another thing that we are concerned about,” Wampe said.
“There are speed limits on the roads and drivers should abide by them but sadly many drivers do not.”
Wampe also called on road transport officers not to issue licences to people through under-the-table deals. “A lot of accidents are caused by unqualified drivers who manage to get licences through illegal means,” Wampe said.
He said police had limited manpower and resources so they could not be everywhere to deal with traffic offences so it was the duty of vehicle owners and drivers to ensure they followed the laws and applied common sense when getting their vehicles on public roads.