Due to recent road crashes in Nigeria, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC has resolved to intensify its round-the-clock traffic law enforcement to reduce the alarming rate of such incident in the country.
FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed made this declaration during a stakeholders’ meeting, recently in Abuja, citing the fresh crashes in Niger, Sabon Wuse, and Kaduna states that claimed 91 lives.
In the last one month, the FRSC witnessed three landmark crashes that were caused by negligence, fatigue, speeding, night trips and dangerous driving.
These three landmark crashes include that of Niger which occurred on Sept. 8, claiming 48 lives, the Sept. 12 that killed 18 people in Sabon Wuse and that of Sept. 15 that happened in Kaduna State leading to the death of 25 people.
Mohammed said that the spate of the crashes recently recorded was however very disturbing, and every step must be taken to avert continued future occurrences.
He said that inspite measures taken by FRSC through the Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme, RTSSS, which was launched in September, 2007 to address the chaos associated with fleet operations in the country, it appeared much needed to be done.
He said that it had therefore become necessary to engage the fleet operators on minimum safety standards through training and retraining of drivers.
“It is with a deep sense of concern that I wish to address this gathering of stakeholders and the press today.
“This briefing is expected to address the current road safety challenges such as carrying inflammable substances, night trips, speeding, overloading and loading of passengers and goods.
“Also, it tends to address the devastating effects of such acts on the nation’s highways.
“It is against this backdrop that that I have directed Commanding Officers to ensure round the clock enforcement of traffic offences so as to mitigate these excesses.
“A special patrol operation will be instituted and enforcement will be carried out nationwide,” he said.
Mohammed reiterated that the management of the Corps had already taken measures towards creating a safer motoring environment.
This, he said was by ensuring that the goals of United Nations Decade of Action for road safety 2021-2030 were implemented. NAN
