Mental stability test: FRSC sets up Cobra Squad in the FCT

• We have capacity to conduct psychiatric test- National Hospital, Abuja
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is set for total forcement of the mental stability test on recalcitrant drivers following the inauguration of a special patrol team codenamed Cobra squad in the FCT to arrest traffic offenders.

In a statement signed by Bisi Kazeem, Corps Public Education Officer , FRSC, the special patrol team came a day before the planned nationwide enforcement of mental stability/psychological examination of traffic offenders by the Corps as evidence of the preparedness of the Corps for showdown with offenders.

Kazeem said that the exercise will focus on life threatening violations such as use of phone while driving, route violation, traffic light violation, dangerous driving and overloading.

Inaugurating the special patrol team, the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, said that 10 well-equipped patrol motorcycles, five vans and an ambulance have been dedicated to the exercise in the FCT.

Oyeyemi said he would personally lead the FCT squad, adding that similar teams and logistics would be deployed subsequently at the zonal level before the end of July.

According to him, the special patrol team would operate outside the normal patrol schedule of the Corps in the FCT and other parts of the country.

“Let me sound a note of warning to all road users: the Corps will not tolerate any form of assault on its personnel.

“With the support of the Federal Ministry of Justice if need be, I will press for maximum punishment of culprits and ensure that I send them to jail.

“FRSC officials are law enforcement agents funded by the government to ensure the safety of Nigerians on the road, but road users especially passengers are fund of assaulting them.

“I will get them arrested and with the help of the Inspector-General of Police, criminal cases will be filed against them. It is not a threat, I have started that already,’’ he said.

The Corps Marshal said that flashpoint points of traffic violations in the territory would be effectively manned by FRSC officials backed by ambulances.

Oyeyemi, who noted that his announcement of the mental stability test had been misinterpreted by a section of the public, said the Corps would remain focused in the discharge of its responsibilities.

“I have never said the issue of psychiatric test or any form, I am very focused on what I am doing, I will take them (offenders) to the appropriate hospital and they will run a mental and psychological evaluation to confirm they are fit for driving.

“This is one of the criteria before you obtain licence. I just want to reconfirm the mental and psychological state of offenders before the appropriate sanctions are meted out on them.

“The issue of fine does not come in, we need a firm approach to this, and the National Assembly has said it that we should improve on our enforcement.

“The Executive has also said it and we are getting the full backing of the Judiciary. So, this is a note of warning to reckless drivers.’’

Oyeyemi maintained that the Corps must not allow few lawless drivers to endanger the lives of other road users, urging all hands to be on deck in the FRSC to restore sanity to the nation’s highways just as he solicited the cooperation and support of members of the public, private and commercial drivers and other road users.

In his clarifications to Daily Times, Kazeem in a text message stated that any teaching or general hospital can conduct the test, saying that it is not psychiatric test but emotional and psychological evaluation test.

“Yes, psychologists and not psychiatrist are supposed to engage the affected traffic offenders” Kazeem explained.

Meanwhile, the National Hospital Abuja has indicated readiness to handle the psychological tests that will be conducted on the traffic offenders.

Speaking with our reporter, the hospital’s Head of Department, Information and Protocol, Dr Tayo Haastrup, said that the hospital is yet to be approached by FRSC but reaffirmed that the hospital has the personnel and equipment to handle the mental evaluation test.

“At the National Hospital, we have the psychiatric department headed by a consultant with psychologist and it is functioning well. If FRSC is in the move to have drivers tested by experienced psychologists, we have them at the National hospital.

” We have been handling such cases as depression, emotional trauma and stress. The FRSC will definitely write to us if they want anybody to be tested here” Haastrup added.

But the National President, National Road Transport Owners, Dr. Ibramim Pategi, said that FRSC ought to conduct eye test, psychological and others tests before even issuing the drivers license, adding that the psychological test is a welcome development but must be conducted with all sincerity so that drivers will not be subjected to unnecessary hardship.

“I think we need to start somewhere and conform to global practice. So many things have already been introduced by the FRSC like the speed limiter but we are not aware of the details of its implementation. FRSC must be sincere with this test.

“Even before you obtain a drivers license, you are supposed to undergo eye test, psychological and other tests and not after you have committed an offence” Pategi stated.

Myke Uzendu, Abuja