Calabar, Nigeria: In a sweeping crackdown on traffic violations, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Cross River State has intensified enforcement efforts, warning motorists to comply with road safety laws or face prosecution
The Sector Commander, Innocent Etuk, gave the warning in Calabar on Monday during a mobile court proceeding to try drivers for various traffic infractions along the Calabar-Odukpani road.
Etuk recalled that upon assuming office, he made it clear that he was ready to send many drivers to jail unless they repented.
The court, presided over by Magistrate Mr Eno Iyamba, arraigned 49 traffic offenders, convicted 46, and discharged three.
A total of 114 offences were recorded, with Drivers’ Licence Violation (DLV), Seatbelt Use Violation (SUV), and Attempting to Corrupt a Marshal on duty (ACS) as the most prevalent.
Speaking further, the sector commander stated that the exercise was the Corps’ strategic intervention to curb the excesses of the motoring public in terms of traffic infractions.
According to him, today is another mobile court sitting to fulfil our mandate to bring down road crashes. At least once or twice a month, we conduct these intervention patrols to fulfil our mandate.
“It is sad that despite our advocacies through the media and others, traffic infractions are not abating.
Last month, many drivers were convicted of attempting to corrupt our men, and this month, the trend continues.
“In September, we did not convict any driver for Dangerous Driving (DGD), but this month, we have already convicted one, and it took our synergy with sister agencies to get this done,” he said.
Etuk noted that as the “ember” months unfolded, the Corps had identified flash points in the state where it commonly encountered challenges.
According to him, the flash points are Odukpani Junction, Okurikang, Ikom Four Corners and Ogoja towards Vandekia.
He said that the command planned to have a camp around Okurikang, which would be in effect until late at night, to enable the Corps to reduce response time in the case of any emergency.
