The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Friday issued warning tickets to 41,381 commercial drivers nationwide who defaulted in the implementation of the Speed Limiting Device.
Mr Bisi Kazeem, FRSC’s Head of Media Relations and Strategy, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the compliance level for 43,433 vehicles was checked nationwide, out of which 2,273 vehicles complied, while 41,381 were yet to comply.
Kazeem said that tickets were issued to the 41,381 yet to comply with the implementation, adding that the corps had recorded above five per cent compliance level nationwide within two weeks.
He said the corps had commenced the advisory enforcement of the device which was more of subtle force, on Oct. 1, 2016
“Like we explained, subtle force is a sought of enforcement approach that entails us stopping commercial vehicles and finding out whether they have installed the speed limiting device.
“If they have not, a ticket is issued to that offender, it is called free safety check and it is to warn that you have been verified not to have installed the device.
“Progressively as at now, 43,433 vehicles have been checked and the number with the device is 2,273, unfortunately, this is low, though in some sought, it is encouraging .
“ So far, Cross Rivers is leading in the compliance list with 277 installation record; Enugu State is second with 227; Akwa/Ibom has 184; while Kogi has 172 and Lagos came fifth with 145,’’ the FRSC spokesman.
Kazeem said the implementation process was categorised into 36 states and the FCT, and as at Oct.14, five states were leading in the compliance level.
He said Cross Rivers, Enugu and Akwa/Ibom ,however, increased the number of states that had begun the implementation of the device order given by the FRSC.
NAN recalls that Rivers and Kogi had last week begun the implementation and are leading other states in the compliance level.
Kazeem said that the corps would continue to check and give warning tickets to commercial vehicles that defaulted as well as encourage them to do the right thing.
He advised fleet operators that had installed the device already to calibrate it and upload it with the FRSC so as ensure full compliance .
He also urged the unions to continue to support the scheme and comply with it fully before February 2017 when the corps would begin strict enforcement.
“No going back on punishment of defaulters, so it is a clarion call to install to comply before before 2017, ’’ the FRSC spokesman said