Drivers need rigorous training, sensitisation, not speed limiters – RTEAN boss tells FRSC
NAN-H-11
Speed-Limit
By Kazeem Akande / Uchediunor Augusta
Lagos, March 20, 2016 (NAN) Alhaji Muhammed Musa, Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Lagos Chapter, has faulted enforcement of the installation of speed limiters by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday, Musa urged the corps to intensify training and sensitisation of drivers instead of impounding vehicles yet to comply.
“We are still complying with the installation of the speed limit device, but it cannot work effectively without including the private vehicles.
“What the commercial drivers really need is continuous training and sensitisation, not speed limiters,” he said.
According to him, commercial drivers are well-trained professionals, unlike private owners who learn to drive within a week or two and would start driving the vehicle around.
Musa said that majority of private vehicle owners could not drive long distance journey and some did at great risk which could result in road crashes.
“It very rare to see any commercial bus driver without valid driver’s licence, because that is his first identity card to show that he is competent to handle a vehicle,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lagos State FRSC Sector Commander, Hyginus Omeje, said 4,552 vehicles have been booked over violation of the use of the speed limiters since its enforcement commenced on Feb. 1.
Omeje said that out of 6, 846 vehicles stopped and examined, 1,900 had installed the device while about 4,946 vehicles were yet to comply.
The sector commander said that the FRSC was still educating drivers and other stakeholders in the transport sector on the benefits of the device.
“We are not only for enforcement, we also sensitise and organise lectures for drivers on safety tips on the road,” he said. (NAN)
AKA/ANU/AOS/WOJ
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(Edited by Bayo Sekoni / Wale Ojetimi)