By Daniel Tyokua
Traffic offenders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will now undergo mandatory medical and psychological evaluations before prosecution as part of a renewed joint enforcement drive by the FCT Administration, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other security agencies.
In a joint press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, FCT FRSC Sector Commander, Tijjani Iliyasu, said the directive was in line with Regulation 176, Sub-regulation (5) of the amended National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012.
Iliyasu said the new initiative is aimed at curbing reckless driving, reducing traffic congestion and improving road safety across Abuja, with offenders required to bear the cost of the evaluations.
He explained that the enforcement would target major traffic violations, including overloading, traffic light violations, driving against traffic, popularly known as one-way, and indiscriminate parking.
The Commandant said the exercise was designed to address dangerous driving behaviour and protect lives and property, rather than harass or intimidate motorists.
Chinedum Elechi, Mandate Secretary, FCT Transportation Secretariat, said the intensified enforcement became necessary as some motorists had taken advantage of improved road infrastructure to disregard traffic regulations.
He stated that FCTA, FRSC and other relevant agencies had therefore commenced continuous joint patrols across the Territory, warning that offenders would face sanctions under the National Road Traffic Regulations 2012 and FCT Road Traffic Regulations 2023.
Corroborating, the director FCT Security Security Services Department, Adamu Gwary represented by Dr. Peter Olumuji, said traffic violations had broader security implications for the capital.
He linked illegal motor parks and the activities of some commercial operators, Okada and Keke NAPEP riders to security concerns, including one-chance robberies and violent crime.
Gwary said the Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services (DSS), among other agencies, were providing operational support to ensure compliance and deal with resistance within the provisions of the law.
