The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has warned motorists, fleet operators and truck drivers against speeding, overloading and using expired tyres to reduce road crashes
The new FRSC Sector Commander, Mrs Joyce Alexander, gave the warning during a meeting with drivers, transport unions and fleet operators on Friday, in Awka.
Alexander said the warning became necessary due to the ways drivers drived recklessly, overloaded their vehicles and transported human beings together with animals regardless of the obvious consequences.
According to her, these practices result to avoidable road accident fatality.
“I am barely three weeks old in Anambra and I have been visiting different areas to monitor compliance to road safety rules where I discovered problems of overloading, speeding and road obstruction.
“This meeting is for us to talk to drivers and fleet operators on the need to adopt a safer attitude, obey traffic rules, and consider other road users for a safer traveling experience in Anambra.
“We can not achieve that without cooperation and partnership between the Corps and the transport operators. I’m appealing for your support as major stakeholders in the transport industry,” she said.
The Sector Commander identified use of expired tyres, overloading, speeding and carrying fuel in gallons as factors responsible for road crashes and the loss of lives in the country.
“I am advising motorists to ensure that they always checked the manufacturing and expiry dates of tyres before buying. using such tyres can endanger the lives of drivers and their passengers.
“Always use seat belts, drivers must possess valid licences, ensure passengers manifest are properly filled and stop carrying petrol in gallons to prevent mishaps and unnecessary loss of lives on the highways.
“A joint task force will be constituted to ensure that drivers
flouting traffic rules and regulations are punished accordingly,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the fleet operators and transport unions, Mr Ozoemena Okoye, Chairman, Truck Drivers Association of Nigeria, promised to cooperate and support the new Sector Commander to succeed.
“We will take this message to our various transport companies and unions, and ensure our drivers adhere to road safety rules but we appeal to FRSC officers to treat drivers as partners in progress,” he said.
