FCTA, FRSC collaborate on Traffic Light, route Violations Enforcement in Abuja
To Conduct Medical, Psychological Tests on Violators
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other sister agencies, has commenced a joint enforcement operation against traffic light violations, driving against traffic and other sundry road offences in the nation's capital .
This was announced by the Mandate Secretary, FCTA Transportation Secretariat, Mr Chinedum Elechi, on Thursday during a special joint intervention press conference in Abuja.
Elechi said that the Taskforce will commnence operation patrol and arrest offenders who would face the full weight of the law.
He said the enforcement exercise was necessary to curb the incessant disregard for traffic rules by some motorists, particularly following the expansion of the FCT road network under the urban renewal programme of the administration of the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike.
He noted that the FCTA was pleased with the collaboration with the FCT Sector Command of the FRSC and other relevant agencies, describing the initiative as a strategic step towards restoring sanity to the territory's traffic management system.
“We are extremely happy to have this special collaboration with the Sector Command of the FCT. I think this is the first time that we're having this kind of collaboration”, Elechi said.
He highlighted the role of the joint efforts of the FCT Security Department, Traffic Control Department, FRSC and other agencies in making the future of traffic management in Abuja brighter.
According to hi. the FCT Administration's massive urban renewal programme, which includes the expansion of existing road networks and construction of new roads, has improved mobility and connectivity but also created new traffic management challenges.
“With some drivers taking advantage of the improved road infrastructure to disregard traffic rules and regulations,” he said.
Elechi named the major targets of the enforcement exercise to include disregard for traffic lights and other traffic control devices, route violations and unauthorised use of restricted routes, including driving against traffic, illegal parking on major roads and at junctions, under bridges and on pedestrian crossings.
He warned motorists and commercial transport operators to obey traffic rules, use designated routes and park only in approved areas.
The Mandate Secretary said the exercise would be sustained, stressing that apprehended offenders would face appropriate sanctions under relevant national and FCT traffic regulations.
However, he said the enforcement would also include mandatory medical and psychological evaluations, where necessary, in accordance with the National Road Traffic Regulations 2012 and the FCT Road Traffic Regulations.
“Offenders will have to face the full weight of the law when they involve in the dangerous exercise of driving against traffic or breaking traffic lights,” Elechi said.
He, however, stressed that the exercise was not intended to harass law-abiding motorists but to promote safer roads, smoother traffic flow and protect lives and property.
The FCT Sector Commander of the FRSC, FCT Command, Corps Commander Tijjani Iliyasu, said the command was concerned about the rising cases of excessive overloading, traffic light violations, route violations, driving against traffic and indiscriminate parking.
Iliyasu said the offences contributed significantly to traffic congestion, obstructed the free movement of vehicles and endangered the lives and property of road users.
He said the situation required sustained enforcement, public enlightenment and cooperation among relevant stakeholders.
The FRSC Sector Commander disclosed that offenders apprehended for applicable offences, particularly excessive overloading, traffic light violations and route violations, including driving against traffic, would henceforth undergo prescribed medical and psychological evaluation before prosecution.
He cited Regulation 176, Sub-regulation 5 of the amended National Road Traffic Regulation 2012, which, according to him, mandates persons suspected of committing applicable offences to undergo medical and psychological evaluation at an approved government hospital before prosecution at their own expense.
Iliyasu said the measure was aimed at addressing dangerous driving behaviour and promoting responsible road use, insisting that it was not designed to intimidate or harass members of the public.
He urged motorists to obey traffic lights, road signs and markings, refrain from overloading vehicles, avoid driving against traffic and use only authorised routes.
He also advised road users to avoid indiscriminate parking and activities that obstruct traffic flow, while using designated motor parks, bus stops and approved loading and dropping points.
The FRSC commander further urged motorists to comply with directives issued by accredited traffic management and enforcement personnel and exercise patience, discipline and courtesy, particularly during peak traffic periods.
“Always remember that time saved by risking a life is not worth it,” he cautioned.
Iliyasu assured residents that the FRSC FCT Sector Command would continue to adopt a coordinated approach involving enforcement, public education, stakeholder engagement, engineering interventions and inter-agency collaboration to improve road safety and traffic management in Abuja.
“Our message is simple: obey traffic regulations, respect other road users, and make safety a personal responsibility,” he said.
The joint enforcement exercise, the officials said, is expected to continue across strategic locations in the FCT as the authorities intensify efforts to reduce traffic violations, improve vehicular movement and safeguard lives and property.
Earlier, the Director Security Services Department of the FCTA, Adamu Gwary said the enforcement of traffic regulations was important not only for improved mobility but also for strengthening security in the nation's capital, noting that violations by some commercial transport operators and other road users could create security challenges.
The Director who was represented by the Secretary, Command and Control center, Dr Peter Olumuji said security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and other relevant agencies, would support the enforcement exercise to ensure that it was carried out within the confines of the law.
“From the security perspective, we also understand that it has its own negative implications when people violate traffic regulations,” Olumuji said.
He specifically raised concerns over the activities of commercial operators, including tricycle and motorcycle operators, who he said sometimes use unauthorised routes and loading points.
According to him, the authorities' concerns about traffic violations are also linked to persistent security challenges in the FCT, including incidents involving “one chance” robbery and other violent crimes.
The Director stressed that an effective transportation system was essential to achieving improved security in any city, saying transportation and security were closely connected.
“There is no way in any city, in any nation, that you talk about better security without having an annexed, short width, a good transportation system. And that is why we are here today,” he said.
Gwary assured residents that the security agencies were fully prepared to support the FCTA and other enforcement bodies as the exercise continues across the territory.
“We want to assure members of the FCT, the residents of the FCT, that as this enforcement commences, the security agencies too are fully backing them up. The Nigerian Police, the DSS and all relevant security agencies,” he said.
0 Comments