The enforcement of the traffic laws kicks off on April 1, with the police and enforcement agencies working together to ensure everything is in order.
The Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, NCD/Central Chief Superintendent Benjamin Turi, confirmed that the Waigani Police Station cell block will now be used by the enforcement agencies to detain traffic offenders when they are arrested and charged. Turi, while thanking the Road Traffic Authority for their support in funding to get the cell block fixed, stated that they are serious and that the enforcement officers must take their jobs seriously.
He said RTA had come forward to assist in renovating the Waigani Police Station Cell Block, which will be completed soon for the operation to begin in April. He said there had been enough awareness done, and vehicle owners, drivers, and crews are aware but are too ignorant. He said police are observing and taking note of those defective vehicles, plus others who are committing traffic offenses.
“I want all buses to move and must not park at the bus stops, taking up space just to wait in line. The bus stops are meant for picking up and dropping off passengers, not for buses to park and create long lines. The enforcement team will also look into this to ensure that the PMV buses drop off passengers and move to another bus stop. Buses that are doing short trips and are not completing their routes have been warned, and they will be closely monitored starting next month. The other buses that are using the freeway are asked to stop because if you are caught, the passengers will have to walk from the location where they are stopped to the next bus stop. To avoid that, the public is discouraged from getting on those buses taking their illegal route along the freeway,” Turi said.
He further added that the team is ready to start work on April 1st. He said at least 20 traffic offenders are arrested daily in the command will make a big difference. He mentioned that many people are too ignorant, so the officers will teach them not to be ignorant but to be good citizens who make their living in an honest way. He stated that vehicles that do not have PMV permits and are conducting PMV business must stop because they are stealing.
End.
