FRSC OPENS A”ROLL OF SHAME” REGISTER FOR TRAFFIC OFFENDERS

Further to its continued drive to reduce the spate of road traffic infractions usually common on the nation’s highways during the yuletide, the Federal Road Safety Corps has instituted a  “roll of shame” register during this year’s yuletide and new year nationwide special patrol as part of measures to engender safer road conduct among high profile Nigerians through out the duration of the exercise which will run from 20 December, 2011 to 08 January, 2012.

Speaking during a parley with stakeholders in the transport  sector, the FRSC Corps Marshal  and Chief Executive, Osita Chidoka said “ a roll of shame  register has been instituted to accommodate high calibre personalities who are supposed to be role models but chose to commit road traffic infractions. I will therefore seize this opportunity to warn reckless drivers, including convoy drivers to drive with caution and have regards for other road users as appropriate sanctions, including mobile court punishments will be meted to culprits”.
During the special patrol tagged “Actualizing the UN decade of action on road safety (2011-2020) operation zero tolerance”, the Corps’ operational focus will be on traffic control/calming, clearing of obstructions, checking overloading, controlling  overspeeding and  strict  enforcement of road traffic regulations.

Speaking further, Chidoka said that “ 22 corridors and 66 routes have identified nationwide for the operation. In addition, 20 critical traffic control points notorious for causing traffic jams, will be manned by FRSC operatives, in addition to 20 Help areas and 12 zebra points along these identified corridors for prompt first aid and medical assistance to victims of road traffic crashes”.
Other details of the exercise include the mobilization of  29,000 operatives comprising 3,000 officers, 15,000 marshals and 11,000 special marshals in addition to complimentary effort of the Nigerian Police, the Air Force, the Army and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

On logistics, the FRSC is deploying 481 patrol vehicles, 9 tow trucks, 50 Ambulances, 198 patrol bikes and 2 Helicopters in addition to the Corps’ emergency call centre (070022553772) which is available for direct interface with the motoring public and 3,000 closed user group telephone lines to complement the Corps’ UHF/VHF radio communication during the exercise.

Speaking on behalf of other stakeholders, the President National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Alhaji Najeem  Yatsin commended the FRSC management  for designing a robust road map towards ensuring sanity on the highways especially during the yuletide and new year celebrations, adding that the stakeholders will effectively complement the Corps’ drive to ensure safer road during the period.

Other stakeholders at the meeting include the National Road Transport Owners (NARTO), National Union of Petroleum and Gas Employees of Nigeria (NUPENG), Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTREAN), Association of Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON) among others.