FRSC Impounds 18 Right-Hand-Drive Vehicles

The Ogun State Sector of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has impounded 18 right-hand-drive vehicles, its head of operations, Mrs. Anne Abhiele, said on Sunday.

Abhiele told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta that such vehicles had been banned from Nigerian roads since 1972 and wondered why they were still being imported and driven.

“The sector is worried about the recent influx of right-hand-drive vehicles on the roads in Ogun State,” she said, adding, however, that any such vehicle found on the roads would be seized.

Abhiele quoted the provisions of the National Road Traffic Regulations (2004), which states that “no motor vehicle shall be registered, or driven on any public road, if the steering apparatus of the motor vehicle is fitted on the right-hand side.”

She expressed regret  that right-hand-drive vehicles were still being cleared at the ports and licenced by the relevant  authorities across the country for use on Nigerian roads, despite existing laws against such vehicles.

Abhiele pointed out that the use of such vehicles  constituted a grave danger  to their drivers and occupants, as well as  other law abiding road users.

She noted that  the  right-hand-drive vehicles were normally taken for conversion after being cleared from the ports, adding, however, that many such conversions were being handled by incompetent engineers.

According to her, all such impounded vehicles will have to be converted to left-hand-drive within the premises of the FRSC before they can be  released to operate on Nigerian roads.

Abhiele also said that the sector had embarked on an enlightenment campaign on the dangers of right-hand-drive vehicles, since their owners normally claim ignorance.

She appealed to  the public, particularly car dealers, to cease from importing right-hand-drive vehicles.