Uphold Traffic Rules, FRSC Charges Truck Operators

By Segun Ojo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has called on the truck drivers and other road users in the country to always adhere strictly to the rules guiding road usage.

FRSC also admonished the truck drivers on the need to inculcate positive road use habit by being road safety ambassadors.

The Commanding Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Unit Command  RS11. 12, Ilesa, Arinze Igwe gave the charge at a press conference held in Isokun, Ilesa West Local Government Area of Osun state.

The Commission who described the call as sacrosanct especially at ember months, said modality has been put in place to enforce the laid down traffic rules and laws across the nation.

Speaking on the theme” The FRSC Strategy Towards Eliminating Speed Related Crashes on Nigerian High Ways, Matters Relating to Conduct of Fleet Operators in Ilesa and Its Environs; Issue and The Way Forward”, Igwe said the Command has been working round the clock towards curtailing the incessant speed related crashes in Ijesaland.

According to him, the vision of  federal road safety corps as an organization certified by international organization  for standardization (ISO) is to eradicate road traffic crashes and create a safe monitoring environment in Nigeria.

“While the mission is to regulate, enforce and coordinate all road traffic and safety management activities through a sustainable public enlightenment, promotion of stakeholders cooperation among others”, he stressed.

Igwe bemoaned over the high level of lawlessness and irrational behaviours by the road users in Ijesaland especially the roads leading to Imo.

The unit Commandant said, ” it is a well known facts that truck drivers in ilesa has developed the habits of over speeding, overloading, conveying unsecured containers, indiscriminate parking, lane indiscipline, abuse of horns, use of rickety vehicles, driving with worn-out tyres and disregard for safety measures, and illegal U-turning among other violations.

“All these vices have paved ways for many avoidable road traffic crashes, untimely death, and monumental losses of property just as over 30 people were recorded dead before now to the last Eid al-fitr as a result of reckless ways of driving among truck operators and drivers.

Reacting to incessant road mishap, the Command disclosed that the commission has embarked on continuous public enlightenment programme, motor park rallies, advocacy visits to churches, mosques, schools, among others to enlightening the people on the require measures towards reducing road traffic crashes.

He said, “28 speed limiters vendors have been approved so, motorists should be preparing for speed limiters as its usage will start by October 1, this year.

He described the device as a powerful speed controllers with different type of price and mechanism, saying henceforth, the Command will not hesitate to bring down the full weight of the law on any truck driver or motorist causing road obstruction, illegal parking or U-turning just as such violators will be prosecuted accordingly.

He therefore called for the support of the royal fathers in ijesaland in the organization’s efforts to avert avoidable road crashes.

Earlier, the Corporate Affairs Manager, International Breweries Plc, Ilesa, Mrs. Folashade Omole, cautioned the motorists particularly the truck drivers to always prioritize traffic rules and abstain from drinking of alcoholic substances while driving.

Omole said some of the truck operators in Imo axis of Ilesha are into business with the company, stressing that some of them were operating under hiring services.

She corroborated FRSC Commandant on the reckless attitudes of some truck drivers, saying “some detective devices have been put in place by the company to detect the level of alcoholic contents in human’s body which according to her would serve as measures to control the cause of accidents on the highways.

“Any staff caught drinking while on duty will be dismissed immediately”,
She added.

The guest lecturer, Prof. Olu Odeyemi lamented over the spate of road mishap in the country, saying “our roads are not saved as level of lawlessness and malfeasances had grown deep in the blood and vein of the people in this country.

He urged the road users to have a rethink by reinforcing a law abiding society, saying “no country can survive without upholding law and orders of the land”.

Looking at the attitudes of roads users in relation to the level of violation of traffic rules and regulations among commuters, Odeyemi called on FRSC to start making money from traffic law breakers as a panacea to correct the menace and also generate revenue for the government.

“Any education you acquire and you can’t use to solve your problems is useless. And for this purpose, our people should believe in themselves as a  tool to change the society in one accord”, he noted.