The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has advised motorists to replace worn-out tyres and wipers to prevent avoidable crashes during the rainy season.
The FRSC spokesman, Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Bisi Kazeem, made the call in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.
He also advised that drivers should always note the preliminaries (Pre-vehicle Use Checks) and ensure their vehicles are in good working condition.
“Motorists are advised to ensure that before embarking on a journey during the rainy season, they should ascertain that the windows and windshields are clean.
“This is to be observed on the outside and the inside, and routinely check the headlights, brake lights, turn signals and tail lights, ” he said.
According to him, the windshield wiper and blades should also be checked for proper functioning. The lights should be on during the day and at night, whenever rain starts dropping.
“Motorists are also advised to reduce their speed during this time and apply the “common sense speed limit”.
“This is particularly because the road surface is often slippery, drivers are also admonished to ensure that their tyres have adequate grip on the road.
“This is because, the car tyres are amongst the most crucial elements, and the only part that is in connection to the road is why the tyre traction is the grip of the vehicle on the road, and it is very very essential, ” he said.
Kazeem also appealed to motorists to shun negative attitudes and habits like drunk driving, smoking hemp and cannabis, dangerous driving, overloading, exceeding speed limits or use of phones while driving.
Also, in a related development, the Corps Marshal, FRSC, Dauda Biu, has ordered an immediate clampdown on all old and rickety vehicles across the country.
Biu gave the directives in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM), Mr Bisi Kazeem, on Thursday in Abuja.
The FRSC Corps Marshal said the directives became necessary due to a trending video of an old car with three worn-out tyres plying the highway in Sagamu, Ogun State.
He, however, ordered an immediate clampdown of the vehicle and arrest of the owner as the act could endanger the lives and property of the public.
According to him, the attention of the Corps was drawn to the trending video of the old vehicle with mechanical issues plying the expressway.
“The vehicle with registration number, Lagos AA07AG was not only old but was plying the highway with just three worn-out tyres.
“The personnel of the agency are directed to be on the lookout for the car and other unstable vehicles plying major roads in Nigeria.
“The operation will be conducted nationwide, and severe punishment awaits the owner and anyone using such vehicles,” he said.
Biu said that the new order was part of a continued effort by the FRSC to reduce the occurrence of road accidents on Nigerian roads.
He said that all Sector Commanders and Zonal Commanding officers of FRSC were to begin enforcing the new order with immediate effect.
“As a matter of fact, FRSC officials are now authorised to arrest and prosecute anyone who operates rickety vehicles on Nigerian roads.
“The officials are also allowed to impound such vehicles and tow them to the nearby FRSC office, ” he said.
The FRSC boss appealed to the public to work with the corps and report when such vehicles were sighted, to ensure the safety of lives and property.
