By Ibironke Ariyo
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said it has set up over 200 mobile court operations to prosecute traffic offenders during the Eid-el-Kabir special patrol operations across the country.
The FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, said this during a press briefing on the Corps’ preparations ahead of the Sallah celebration, on Friday in Abuja.
Mohammed said that recent developments on the roads revealed some of the challenges confronting the safe use of the highways, which he said the Corps had stepped up to confront on all fronts.
He said that the challenges include the ugly trend of using trailers and trucks to convey human beings, night trips, fatigue, speed violations, driving under the influence, as well as overloading of vehicles.
He also said that the Corps had introduced some key safety initiatives to tackle the menace and combat the ugly trend, as well as meet up with the changing times, especially developments coming from the unsafe behaviors.
According to him, one of these is the result-oriented efforts that have been directed toward effective collaboration with the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and State Judiciaries.
“This is for timely prosecution of drivers and vehicle owners caught contravening established traffic regulations like overloading, dangerous driving, and use of phone as well as speeding.
“These violations will be tamed through the instrumentality of mobile court operations.
“To this end, we shall carry out aggressive enforcement including conducting over 200 Mobile Courts operations, to check the following offenses.
“Speeding and Dangerous Driving/Overtaking, Lane indiscipline/Route violation, Road Obstructions, Use of Phone while Driving, Overloading, Seatbelt/Child restraint Use Violations,
“Others are Passenger’s Manifest Violation, Operation of mechanical deficient and rickety vehicles, loading of trailers with passengers, and Illegal use of the Spy Number Plates, “he said.
The FRSC boss called on drivers to imbibe a culture of courtesy, civility, and consideration for other road users.
He said “They must learn to do the right thing at all times because, as you have the right to use the roads, so do others.
“As such, drivers must drive with the consciousness that members of their families, friends, and loved ones are waiting for them at home, whenever they are on the road.
“At all times, they must be conscious of the fact that those they carry are breadwinners, family, and friends to other people whose lives are precious to them.
“We must therefore exercise restraint and show respect to each other while on the road, “he said.
