FRSC PROSECUTE 42 FOR DRIVING AGAINST TRAFFIC

 42 road traffic offenders have been prosecuted by a special patrol team of the Federal Road Safety Commission for driving against traffic along the Kubwa expressway.

According to the FRSC, the erring motorists were penalized during the on-going ‘Operation FCT Corridor Decongestion’ as introduced by Management of the Federal Road Safety Commission to address traffic bottlenecks at specific periods on designated routes in the Federal Capital Territory.

Details of arrests indicate that aside from route violation which account for 37 violations, dangerous driving, use of mobile phone and non-possesion of drivers’ license were responsible for other traffic related offences which resulted to impoundment of 26 vehicles.

However,one disturbing trend during the exercise was the reluctance of most traffic offenders to produce their drivers’ license at the point of arrest with the excuse that their licenses have been withdrawn by their Ministries and Agencies, leaving them with photocopies.

This trend according to the FRSC, does not only constitute security risk but contravenes the provisions of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2004 and the FRSC establishment Act, 2007.

In a related development, the FRSC and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board has initiated partnership towards restoring the air quality in the FCT.

According to the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Engr. Abubakar Yabo during a courtesy visit, a partnership with the FRSC has become necessary in view of the need to address environmental hazards and obvious traffic challenges resulting from vehicle emissions.

Responding, the FRSC Corps Marshal and Chief Exectutive, Osita Chidoka identified air quality as one of the index for assessing the conducive status of any city, hence the need for a strong collaboration with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board and other relevant agencies on issues bordering on environmental pollution in the FCT which can serve as pilot scheme for adoption by other states across the country.