SPECIAL PATROLS- FRSC TO FOCUS ON TRAFFIC CONTROL AND OVER- LOADING

Further to its resolve to ensure an accident-free Eid-el-Maulud and Easter celebrations, the Management of Federal Road Safety Commission has concluded plans for nationwide special patrols in order to curb the spate of traffic accidents on the highways.

According to the Commission, the exercise, which is slated for 19-24 March, 2008 is targ e ted at ensuring a hitch-free and effective traffic control on various routes across the country with special emphasis on over loading. Pursuant to this arrangement, all Commanding Officers of FRSC formations nationwide have been directed to in addition, ensure strict compliance with other traffic rules and regulations such as non-use of telephones while driving and use of seat belts. They are also to desist from lane and speed violations.

Throughout the duration of the exercise tagged “Operation Eagle Eye”, FRSC operatives will set up mobil e courts along sp e cific routes on the highways even as directives have been given to patrol teams to ensure removal of excess luggages and payment of appropriate fines by erring motorists.

As usual, the special patrols will include rescue operations intertwined with public enlightement campaigns at motor parks, the electronic and print media. Motorists are seriously warned to ensure that their vehicles conform with safety standards such as functional head/tail light, effective brakes and horns.

Meanwhile, the Commission has identified some routes with records of over loading violations for massive deployment of operational staff. Such routes are Lagos-Sagamu, Benin-Ore, Kano-Maidugiri, Kano-Jibia, Asaba-Onitsha-Nkpor, Obollo Afor-9th Mile, Ilorin-Ibadan, Gwagwalada-Abaji-Lokoja, Mokwa-Jebba, inside most cities and towns across the country.

As Nigerians prepare for the Eid-el-Maulud and Easter celebrations, the motoring publics are warned to obey traffic rules and regulations and, in general, “take am jeje”.