Passengers can be prosecuted if they distract drivers

Passengers can be prosecuted if they distract drivers Passengers who harass and distract drivers are liable for prosecution. This is according to Elvis Gbesemete, Manager, Research Monitoring and Evaluation of the National Road Safety Commission. He explained that any action which can distract a driver is an offence punishable by law should the driver report to any police personnel. ³If you distract a driver, you are equally liable for prosecution. If you do something which can distract the driver, the law permits the driver to report you and with just little corroboration from the passengersŠ² Speaking on the Big Bite on Xfm 95.1 this morning, Mr. Gbesemete explained that acts such as shouting, beating or any action that could distract a driver mentally or physically is ³enough for the driver to report² the incident . He added that a testimony by one or two passengers to that effect was enough for the culprit to be ³taken on² by the police. Mr. Gbesemete stressed that it was wrong for a passenger to ³lord² over a driver and in the process distract him since it could lead to dire consequences. He admonished passengers to be careful as well as gentle to drivers since it was important for drivers to have full concentration while on the road. Mr. Gbesemete encouraged passengers to report any passenger who misconducts himself, especially one that could distract the driver and assured them that police personnel were ready to take such culprits on. Story by Vincent Baffour Acheampong/ Xfm 95.1/ Accra/ Ghana