In a sweeping crackdown on traffic violations, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has nabbed a staggering 162,834 traffic offenders across the nation during the first half of 2023, according to a recent disclosure by the corps spokesperson, Bisi Kazeem.
Amidst this stern campaign against offenders, the somber toll of road traffic crashes paints a contrasting picture. During the same period, a grim tally of 4,387 lives were lost due to these crashes across the federation, according to Kazeem. The figure underscores the urgent need to tackle the root causes of these tragic incidents.
Kazeem attributed the crashes to a multitude of factors, including night trips, driver fatigue, route violations, hazardous overtaking, use of worn-out tires, and excessive speed. A concerning revelation was that many of these accidents involved inexperienced and inadequately trained drivers.
In light of these revelations, a call to arms is sounded not only for stringent enforcement but also for a comprehensive strategy encompassing technology, education, and stringent legal consequences. The nation’s roads remain a precarious arena, demanding an unwavering commitment to safety from both the authorities and road users.
Key Highlights
Rampant Offences and Arrests
The six-month period from January to June 2023 witnessed an unprecedented surge in arrests, with the FRSC apprehending a total of 162,834 traffic offenders for a multitude of infractions. A staggering tally of 179,165 offences were logged during this period, marking a disconcerting trend of recklessness on the roads.
Diverse Offences
Bisi Kazeem, the articulate voice of the FRSC, elaborated on the spectrum of offences that led to these apprehensions. The gamut ranged from the more commonly observed infringements like speeding, seatbelt violations, and route deviations to the more dangerous transgressions such as use of phones while driving, overloading, and dangerous maneuvers. These infringements not only endanger lives but also challenge the efficacy of road safety measures.
Calls for Technological Reinforcement
Against this backdrop, prominent voices in road safety, including Jide Owatunmise, CEO of the Professional Driving and Safety Academy, have underscored the urgency for technological reinforcements. Owatunmise’s proposition to employ Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at notorious blind spots holds promise. Linking these cameras to the vehicle owner’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) for automated fine deduction and streamlining legal actions can potentially reshape the landscape of traffic law enforcement.
