By IBIRONKE ARIYO

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has intensified nationwide enforcement to flush out dangerous drivers and eliminate life-threatening practices on major highways as Nigerians embark on end-of-year travels.

The Corps Marshal, FRSC, Malam Shehu Mohammed, said this on Monday during a strategic monitoring of vehicular movement in Kaduna as part of the ongoing Zero Tolerance special operation for the festive season.

Mohammed said the Corps had massively deployed officers and logistics to key corridors linking Kaduna, Abuja and Lokoja in response to heavy traffic experienced in recent days, especially along the Abuja–Lokoja Road.

“The end-of-year patrol for the Kaduna and Abuja axis has been massively deployed today to the Lokoja–Abuja Road, where we noticed significant traffic movement over the past three days.

He explained that the monitoring exercise was extended to the Abuja–Kaduna Road due to ongoing construction works that could worsen congestion if not properly managed.

“We also decided to come to the Abuja–Kaduna road where construction is ongoing, to ensure free flow of traffic and prevent unnecessary obstruction.

“The zero tolerance operation is aimed not only at traffic control but also at removing drivers who pose serious risks to other road users.

“We are here to ensure that drivers engaged in speeding, driving under influence, distracted driving and other dangerous behaviours are removed from the road.

“This is to ensure that responsible drivers, passengers, commuters and other road users can move freely,” Mohammed said.

The FRSC boss disclosed that the monitoring team would return to the Abuja–Lokoja corridor after the Kaduna exercise to sustain enforcement and traffic management.

Commenting on the situation observed so far, the Corps Marshal said traffic volume was still relatively low in the early hours but was expected to increase as the day progressed.

“So far this morning, traffic is low and not as heavy as expected, but we believe that as the hours go by, it will build up. That is why we are here early, to address issues before they escalate,” he said.

Mohammed expressed concern over widespread overloading, particularly the practice of mixed loading involving passengers and goods on trucks.

According to him, we have observed cases of overloading, especially mixed loading, on this route.

“That is why we are ensuring that passengers carried on top of trucks are brought down and made to continue their journey in safer vehicles.

On enforcement nationwide, Mohammed said all sector commanders had been directed to ensure early deployment to identified traffic hotspots throughout the festive period.

He said that the directive to all sector commanders across the federation was to come out early and be present at hotspots that usually experience traffic challenges during this period.

He added that reports from the past three days indicated that FRSC personnel, including regular and special marshals, were already fully engaged across the country.

“Our officers, marshals and special marshals are on the roads controlling traffic and supporting road users, and we will continue this operation throughout the festive period and into January,” he said.

The FRSC Corps Marshal urged motorists to conduct themselves with discipline, patience and respect for other road users, calling them to show restraint, maintain honour and support other road users.

He warned that the Corps would not tolerate intimidation or bullying on the roads, stressing that such drivers would be removed to guarantee smooth traffic flow.

“We will not allow bullying or intimidation by any driver.

“Anyone found engaging in such behaviour will be taken off the road to ensure everyone reaches their destination safely and enjoys the festivities as they should,” Mohammed said. (NAN)

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