The Corps Marshal of Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Dr Boboye
Oyeyemi has said that traffic light violations by motorists will attract
a fine of N50,000 beginning from next year, lamenting that the offence
was taking a worrisome dimension.
Dr. Oyeyemi, who disclosed this while speaking at the first ‘ember month
stakeholders forum’ organised by the FRSC in collaboration with the
Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, in Abuja, said
he had proposed to the Joint Tax Board that the traffic light violation
fine should be increased from N4,000 to N50,000 to deter erring
motorists.
The Corps Marshal vowed that his men would continue to arrest and sanction motorists using phones while driving.
He explained that drivers were free to use google map but said the phone
should be placed on the dashboard with both hands on the steering
wheel.
According to him, “You can’t hold the phone with one hand and drive
with the other while using google map. That is distracted driving and
the law is clear on that. When you stop people for traffic violations,
their lawyers would write to you and threaten to sue.
“FRSC has 120 lawyers and I would recruit more next year; The level of violent reactions in this country is alarming.”
“We have noticed the rising incidents of traffic light violations and
so, we are going to increase the minimum fine to N50,000 from N4,000.
Offenders would also undergo an emotional psychological test at the
hospital to determine if you are fit to drive.”
Oyeyemi, condemned in strong term a situation where people would veer
their anger on officers of the FRSC and personnel of other paramilitary
agencies and violently attacked them.
In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer, FCCPC, Babatunde Irukera, said
his agency would ensure that fleet owners in the country took passenger
insurance to better protect their customers during trips.
Irukera also revealed that the commission would also roll out a policy
on ageing vehicles owned by fleet firms, noting that” prioritising
protection of people will not be negotiated.”
According to him, “We succeeded in putting outpatients bill of
rights last year; we will insist that the vehicles be in good condition
and operate in a good and safe manner”.