BY OMOS OYINBODE, ASABA
Deputy Controller of Immigration, Delta State Command, Mr. Emordi, Tuesday, said that commercial vehicle drivers are the major road users that are prone to road crashes as a result of their poor knowledge of road signs since majority of them are illiterates and lack courtesy while on the wheels.
Mr. Emordi made the submission during a workshop organized by the Delta State Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to sensitize vehicle users on the introduction of a new speed limiting device to be installed in all vehicles plying all highways across the country.
His reaction was in response to an accusation by a representative of the National Union of Road Transport Workers who lambasted the FRSC for holding the masses responsible on the highways but could not gather the wits to apprehend senior government officials who also drive carelessly, abusing road signs on the highway.
In the event which drew representatives from across all sectors of human endeavours and government agencies in the state, the FRSC Delta State Commander, Rindom Kumven, said the FRSC was in a drive to reduce road crashes through reduction of speed, hence the introduction of the device to compel vehicle drivers to drive with speed regulation installed in their vehicles.
According to him, “FRSC has come up with measures to control excess speed on the highway. We are looking at installing speed limiting device in all vehicles whether commercial or private. Every year there’s always speed violation among drivers. So, every driver should take note so that when enforcement begins, you will not be caught unawares.
Kumven added that “we will not say it and forget. We will enforce it. In years back, we did it. We are saying it now so that when we commence enforcement, nobody will say I did not hear”
The Guest Speaker at the event and Special Adviser to Delta State Commissioner for Transport, Mr. David Oboturi, said the speed limiting device was needful due to drivers’ recklessness, bad nature of Nigerian roads and attitude of drivers to speed management on the highways.
Speaking on Standardisation in Speed limits, he said for the device to be successful and meet the objective of the FRSC, it should be compatible with every environment and should not be a device that is left to be installed be the drivers as it could be tampered with by the drivers.
He, however, said all agencies including the army, the police, NURTW and other government officials must work in synergy, coupled with a good legal backing to ensure a success out of the venture.
