Federal Road Safety Corps arrests hundreds for drunk driving in Lagos state

The Lagos State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has confirmed arrest of 417 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol in the state, between January and September 2023

Penpushing reports that the Sector Commander Babatunde Farinloye made this known on Wednesday during the flag-off of the corps’ “2023 Ember Months Campaign” in Badagry, with the theme,‘Speed Thrills but Kills: Drive Responsibly and Avoid Overloading’.

The Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC) boss pointed out that driving under the influence of alcohol was one of the many offences recorded in the state regularly, adding that the agency recorded more than 1,000 contraventions monthly

‘We do record more than 1,000 contraventions monthly, and arrests have not deterred people. That is why we have decided to bring in other measures such as education, sensitisation and training, in order to address the problem and reduce road crashes,” he said.

Penpushing also reports that the sector commander on the issue of containers falling from trucks, said that he had deployed personnel to tank farms, terminals and ports to check and certify vehicles before loading.

‘They are there to ensure minimum safety standards, vehicle standards, driver’s standards and operators standards, all standards must be there. Some of the vehicles that are falling are beyond road safety if you look at them well. The majority of them are of a particular vehicle brand’.

‘They are old vehicles in the fleet of haulage businesses and their owners have refused to upgrade or change them. Most of the vehicles falling are not from ports or terminals. Some of them are from unknown terminals. They are from terminals where we don’t have personnel that regulate them,” he said.

Penpushing reports that Farinloye used the occasion in urging road users to always ensure their vehicles are road-worthy before plying highways, while in his own contributions the Badagry Unit Command boss William Manga, said it was his duty and responsibility to ensure the safety of road users, especially during the “ember months” with increased traffic and activities.

The unit commander explained that the theme of the 2023 Ember months campaign highlights two major factors that contribute to road crashes which are speeding and overloading, explaining that the theme was chosen because the agency believe raising awareness and promoting responsible driving habits can help reduce the number of road crashes during these ember months

‘We have chosen this theme because we believe that raising awareness and promoting responsible driving habits can help reduce the number of road crashes during these ember months. Speeding continues to be a major cause of road crashes in our country. Many drivers, in an attempt to reach their destinations faster. disregard speed limits and put themselves and others at risk’, he stated.

‘We want to remind everyone that speed thrills for a moment, but it can kill instantly. It is important that we all obey speed limit regulations and drive at a safe and reasonable speed. Your life and the lives of others are more important than reaching your destination a few minutes earlier,” he said.

Penpushing further reports that Overloading Manga noted that overloading was another major cause of crashes on the roads, urging motorists to follow the recommended weight limits for their vehicles and avoid overloading.

The chairman, Badagry-West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Joseph Gbenu in his remarks urged motorists to ensure safety, while plying roads in Lagos, stressing that the campaign should not be limited to “ember months” alone.

‘This should be done monthly to ensure road crashes are reduced to a minimal level in the country. I thank the Lagos Sector Commander and Badagry unit commander, for bringing the campaign to Seme, in my council’, he said.

Penpushing also reports that chairman, Lagos State Parks and Garden (LASPAG), Adeyemo Arigbabuwo assured that they would collaborate with Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to ensure safety on Lagos roads.

The chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Seme Kweme, Akeem Sanni remarked that the union had maintained a ban on alcohol in all its parks in Badagry, and commended the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC) for flagging off the campaign at Seme Motor Park.

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