The Federal Road Safety Commission has said the violation of fire extinguishers, caution and light signs remain bookable offences.
This is as a result of insinuations by some members of the public that a recent directives on booking for certain traffic offences including Fire Extinguishers, Light and Caution signs violations are no more effective.
According to Head Media Relations and Strategy of the FRSC, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, in a press statement, the suspension was temporarily done in the light of the observations by the operations department of the Corps National Headquarters to the effect that these offences were secondary offences which should not take precedence over the primary offences especially during the operations zero, when the operational focus was on ensuring free flow of traffic and avoidance of anything that could undermine it.
He said the directive was in no way meant to permanently stop the FRSC patrol teams from enforcing laws on non possession of fire extinguishers, Light and Caution signs on motorists that violate them as provided for in the FRSC Booking Sheet.
In the circular issued today by the FRSC to further clarify the Corps’ stand on the directives, the Deputy Corps Marshal in charge of Operations, Ojeme Ewhrudjakpor stated that the suspension of booking of fire extinguisher (FEV), Light Sign Violation (LSV) and Caution Sign (VSC) was for one month of operation Zero (16 December 2016 to 16 January 2017 when the focus was on free flow of traffic.
“The suspension was therefore part of the activities and directives to Commands of the FRSC to ensure non-impediment to the free flow of traffic with the anticipated high vehicular movements,” the circular stated.
“For the avoidance of doubt, these offences are secondary offences that would be booked alongside primary infractions,” it added.
Deputy Corps Marshal Ojeme further stated that the suspension of the booking of the offences will be lifted at the termination of the ongoing operation zero on January 15, 2017 as directed by the Corps Marshal who is the Grand Commander of the operation.
Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi had earlier given clarification on the directives when he urged Nigerians not to misinterpret the content of the earlier circular that was leaked to the press a few days ago and widely circulated on social media.
(Punch)
