The new Zonal Commanding Officer (ZCO) for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Zone 4 comprising Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa states Assistant Corps Marshal Kayode Olagunju has vowed to prosecute traffic offenders in the zone to improve safety situation on the roads.
The ZCO stated this on the heels of mobile courts organised by the FRSC between June 26 and July 21 convicting 359 traffic offenders in Plateau and Nasarawa States.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the acting Zonal Public Education Officer, Deputy Route Commander Terry Hoomlong in Jos.
He disclosed that a total of 408 traffic offenders were arrested by the FRSC operatives and arraigned before eight magistrate courts in the two states.
Fifty out of the 408 arraigned were discharged and acquitted. The convicts were given between two to six months jail terms but were however given the options of fines ranging between two to ten thousand naira.
In RS4.1 Plateau, a total of 117 traffic offenders were convicted with 121 offences by Magistrate Godswill Longs. In RS4.3 Nasarawa, a total of 242 traffic offenders were convicted by Magistrates Abimbola Buzi, Joy Farouk, Victoria Isiaku, Abundaga Habila and Gwahimba Vincent.
The most prevalent offences were overloading, speed limit violation, tyre violation, driving and vehicle licence violations. Others include seat belt, windscreen and motorcycle helmet violations.
ZCO Olagunju admonished motorists to be careful and maintain their vehicles and imbibe good driving culture at all times especially now that it is raining heavily in the area. He further stated that they should ensure that their tyres and wipers are in good condition while they avoid overloading their vehicles. He enjoined motorists to always fasten their seat belts while passengers are urged to always caution their drivers whenever they attempt to break traffic rules and regulations.
Olagunju, while addressing the staff on his assumption of duty, warned them to shun extortion as he has in place monitoring mechanism to fish out the corrupt ones and get them punished in line with the extant rules.
He also admonished staff to abide by COVID-19 protocols such as regular washing of hands with running water and soap and the use of sanitisers, facemasks and social distancing.
According to him, diligent staff and Commands would be rewarded while violators would be sanctioned accordingly.
He also enjoined all the commanding officers in the zone to be creative in evolving strategies and initiatives to reduce the rate of road traffic crashes and fatalities in the zone.
