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By Akpan David, Calabar
The Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Cross River State, Mr Ocheja Ameh has urged motorists and commercial drivers not to see them as being wicked.
This is from the backdrop of incessant complaints by motorists against alleged high-handedness by some of the officials of the road safety agency.
Ameh explained that their tasks is majorly to caution drivers against recklessness, and ensuring safety on Nigerian roads.
He spoke in Calabar, Cross River State during the third Quarter Durbar, organised by the Special Marshals of the command
He maintained that the agency has many reasons why they penalise traffic offenders and impound their vehicles.
“These are essentially to ensure safety, avert vehicular accidents and deaths on the roads, especially innocent lives.
“Our officers are humane. We are not being wicked. We find that after several advocacies drivers still contravene traffic rules and endanger the lives of people on the roads.
“80 per cent of our transportation in the nation is by road. So, we are the managers of safety on our roads and must take the job of securing lives and properties seriously.
“Our team leaders and Corps Marshals have all it takes to warn, advise, caution or allow a vehicle go based on the type of traffic offence committed.
“If we do not pick an offender and his vehicle off the road, the next we will discover is that the same vehicle which we allowed has been involved in a fatal crash because of worn-out tyres. We normally feel bad.”
The sector Commander said however that they do not punish all traffic violations but that many are cautioned and allowed to go except those that are critical offences like driving with a shattered windscreen when it is clear that the driver’s visibility will be poor.
Explaining the Durbar, Ameh said it became necessary to engage stakeholders and enlighten members of the public on the risky behaviours capable of causing crashes especially during the rainy season and how to prevent them.
Coordinator of Special Marshals in the state Command, Akunjo Akunjo said some road users have apathy against those who caution them to ensure safety while they drive.
Akunjo said most times FRSC officials are seen as people trying to distort vehicular movement when in reality, they are only trying to make the society safer.
