adminillegal and a major cause of fatal road accidents.
National Traffic Police spokesperson Inspector Tigere Chigome yesterday said they would not hesitate to impound vehicles found on the wrong side of the law.
“As soon as we encounter a commuter omnibus with a roofrack we will impound it and take it for re-inspection,” said Insp Chigome.
“The commuter omnibuses are not imported with roofracks for safety reasons but because of unscrupulous businessmen who are trying to enrich themselves in an unlikely manner they resort to endangering peoples lives.
“If commuter omnibus operators still want to be in business they should put a trailer which is certified by the VID.”
Inspector Chigome said they would continue weeding out all omnibuses with illegal roof racks.
“This is not an operation we will cease undertaking but a continuos process to ensure that the law is observed,” he said.
Inspector Chigome also said the folding of seats in commuter omnibuses was illegal as it results in overloading and creating death traps.
“The folding of seats is illegal as they exceed the required number of passengers.
“Commuter omnibus owners fit them after inspection as a means of dodging the Vehicle Inspection Department regulations,” he said.
He urged commuter omnibus owners to abide by the law by obtaining relevant certification for their vehicles.
According to Statutory Instrument 154 of 2010 Road Traffic (construction, equipment and use) Regulations no person shall drive a motor vehicle or trailer on any road if any thing is fitted to the vehicle in such a way as to endanger any person on or outside the vehicle.
Online Reporter