The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), FCT Sector Command, says motorists arrested for applicable traffic offences will undergo mandatory medical and psychological evaluation before prosecution.
The Sector Commander, CC Tijjani Illyasu, said this at joint news conference with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday in Abuja.
Illyasu said the measure was in line with Regulation 176, Sub-regulation 5 of the amended National Road Traffic Regulation 2012.
He also said that offenders would undergo the evaluation at approved government hospitals at their own expense.
”The measure is not designed to harass or intimidate members of the public, but to ensure compliance with traffic regulations and improve road safety,” he said.
He expressed concern over increasing cases of overloading, traffic light violations, driving against traffic and indiscriminate parking, saying they contributed to congestion and endangered road users.
The sector commander revealed that the command had shifted from merely deploying personnel and making arrests to focusing on improved traffic flow and safer roads, adding that a joint task force with NURTW would soon be launched.
Meanwhile, the FCTA in collaboration with the FRSC and other relevant agencies have intensified joint traffic enforcement patrols across the territory.
Dr Chinedu Elechi, representing the FCTA said the exercise was aimed at improving road safety, reducing traffic congestion and ensuring compliance with traffic regulations.
”The expansion of the road network and construction of new roads have improved mobility and connectivity, but also created new traffic management challenges,” he said.
He noted that some motorists had taken advantage of the improved infrastructure to disregard traffic rules, adding that the exercise would target traffic lights, route violations, restricted routes, illegal parking and overloading.
Elechi said offenders would face sanctions under existing laws, including mandatory medical and psychological evaluation in line with the National Road Traffic Regulations 2012 and FCT Road Traffic Regulations 2023.
Similarly, Mr Peter Olumuji, Head of Special Marshals, FRSC, representing the FCT Security Chief, Adamu Gwary, said traffic violations could also have security implications.
”Traffic violations could have negative implications for security, particularly involving commercial transport operators and motorcycle riders operating illegally in the FCT,” he said.
He explained that effective enforcement could help address security challenges such as ”one-chance” robberies and other violent crimes, while proper traffic management remained important to any city.
Olumuji assured residents that the Nigeria Police Force, DSS and other security agencies would support the exercise and handle possible reactions according to the law.
By Kennedy Sheyin
