FRSC Arrests 478 Traffic Offenders

Mr. Hyginus Fuomsuk, Enugu Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), has said that no fewer than 478 traffic offenders have been arrested in the first quarter of this year in Enugu State.

He said the offenders were picked up for various traffic offences.

Fuomsuk told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Monday, that Enugu was one of the corridors where the the FRSC conducted its one week “Mini Operation Zero Tolerance to Road Traffic”.

He said that seat belt violation was the highest offence committed with 117 offenders booked, light sign 90, fire extinguisher 56, driving licence five and number plate violation 33.

According to him, the operation which covered Udi, 9th Mile Corner and Enugu units recorded 496 offences with 144 motorcyclists operating without helmet equally arrested.

“As a result of the successes recorded during the operation zero tolerance in December, we decided to have a quarterly operation to prepare us to be visible on major highways.

“This is part of FRSC’s efforts to step-up the enforcement of traffic rules to mitigate road traffic crashes and not about arresting anybody.

“Our ultimate goal is to deter people from committing traffic offences and not on the amount generated.

“The fines are to sanction and serve as deterrent as against being a money spinning venture,” Fuomsuk said.

He said that during the week-long operation that lasted from March 25 to March 31, 196 offenders were arrested at the 9th Mile axis with 208 offences booked.

“Two mobile courts sat to prosecute the 93 offenders who were handed various fines,” he said.

On availability of right-hand steering vehicles, he said that one person was arrested during the period.

Fuomsuk condemned the registration of such vehicles by vehicle registration offices nationwide.