Speed limit devices to end road crashes- FRSC

Motorists across the nation has been called to duty by the FRSC to always have it mind that they are highly responsible for the lives not just that of their own but also that of commuters who entrust their lives in their cares on daily routines of running their day to day businesses.

This call was made by the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Boboye Oyeyem.

He also went further to restate the commission's commitment to end fatalities resulting from speeding on Nigerian roads through implementation of speed limiting device.

During this sensitization on Tuesday at the forum for the implementation of speed limiting devices in Nigeria, he said the programme would be done in all the states of the federation to keep motorists abreast of the development.

He called on motorists across the country to comply with the implementation strategies, saying that defaulter would have their cars impounded and then charged to court.

According to him: "We want to cut down the speed of both commercial and private vehicles. Long buses, trailers, trucks among others would also be made to comply with the arrangement so as to make the road safe.
"When you are on a high speed, it is difficult to manoeuvre in the event of any eventuality, but when going on a low or moderate speed, it will be easier to manoeuvre. "

Speaking at the forum, the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, blamed road crashes with colossal loss in human lives and property across the country on over-speeding.

He said it had become necessary to put in place an effective speed management programme in order to reduce road crashes and resulting fatalities in the country. it was cheering news that speed limiting technology, the only aspect yet to be implemented is now being flagged-off with the sensitization campaign. he added!

The minister pointed out that attention should be paid to the quality of the equipment, its calibration, the likelihood of tempering by drivers and vehicle owners and availability and effectiveness of enforcement personnel if the programme must succeed.

"Another issue that may need to be looked into is the possibility of adopting mandatory speed limiters, especially in vehicles that travel within the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS sub-region."

Onolememen called on the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) to institute strict inspection regime to ensure that all speed limiting device to be used in the country are of a high quality.

He commended the FRSC and stakeholders for the commencement of the sensitization campaign for the implementation of speed limit devices for vehicles in Nigeria not just during the EMBER months be throughout the the months of the year because accidents can happen at any time.