The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra Sector Command, has arrested 121 motorists for 214 traffic offences during its ongoing “Operation Total Compliance” in the state. The Sector Commander, Bridget Asekhauno, disclosed this on Wednesday during the enforcement exercise in Awka.
Operation details and purpose
Mrs Asekhauno, represented by Gloria Ezeugwu, the Officer-in-Charge of Motor Vehicle Administration, said the three-day operation was conducted across the corps’ 12 zones nationwide. The exercise was designed to sensitise motorists to road safety regulations while enforcing compliance and curbing traffic violations that could cause road crashes.
Types of offences recorded
According to her, the offences included overloading, failure to install or use speed limiting devices, driving licence violations, attempted bribery of marshals on duty, dangerous driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Specifically, 27 motorists were arrested for overloading, 34 for speed limit device violations, 10 for driving without valid driver’s licences, and four for attempting to bribe FRSC personnel. Additionally, two motorists each were arrested for dangerous driving and driving under the influence.
Commander’s remarks on safety
“The essence of the exercise is to check drivers’ excesses, including overloading and mixed loading. Carrying passengers together with animals or goods is dangerous and can have disastrous consequences. Goods should not be transported together with human beings,” Mrs Asekhauno said. She added that the operation targeted drivers operating without speed-limiting devices, some of whom deactivate the devices after installation to exceed prescribed speed limits.
Enforcement and public enlightenment
The sector commander noted that the FRSC combined enforcement, mobile court prosecution, and public enlightenment to ensure road safety messages reached motorists at the grassroots. She urged motorists to comply with traffic regulations and use the enforcement exercise as an opportunity to adopt safer driving habits ahead of the ember months. “Road safety is a shared responsibility. Safer roads can only be achieved when both motorists and the FRSC play their respective roles,” she said. (NAN)
