FRSC convicts 35 motorists in Jos
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Plateau Command, on Wednesday said that it had convicted 35 motorists in Jos over various road traffic offences, during its special `ember’ months’ campaign.
Mr. Andrew Bala, Corps Public Education Officer, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos that the offenders were convicted by a mobile court constituted by its officers and men on patrol.
NAN reports that the `ember’ months’ campaign tagged: “Operation Zero Tolerance to Road Traffic Crash”, took place on some highways within Jos and Bukuru metropolis.
“In tandem with the `ember’ months’ campaign, our men on patrol apprehended 36 motorists, but one was discharged and acquitted, while 35 were convicted.
“We mostly use the mobile courts these days because we feel there is the need to give motorists fair hearing, and for me it is a better deal.
“The most prevalent offences for which these motorists were convicted include overloading, use of worn-out tyres, vehicle licence violation, and driver’s licence violation.
“Others include drivers use of cell-phones while driving, seatbelt violation and lack of caution signs,” the official said.
Bala said that none of the convicted motorists was imprisoned, noting that the court only asked the offenders to pay fines commensurate to the offence committed.
Bala said that none of the convicted motorists was imprisoned, noting that the court only asked the offenders to pay fines commensurate to the offence committed.
The FRSC official assured the public that officers and men of the command would make the mobile court a routine measure, to check the excesses of motorists on the highways.
According to him, the corps uses the mobile court session to run checks on tyres of vehicles and ensure motorists do not ply highways with expired tyres.
Bala advised vehicle owners to fix new valid tyres on their vehicles to avoid loss of lives and properties on highways, especially, during this festive period.
“Statistics show that most drivers use expired tyres on their vehicles, and that can be very dangerous, because such tyres can easily burst and cause accident,” he said.
