FRSC to arrest drivers driving under influence of alcohol, others

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is to apprehend and prosecute instantly drivers driving under the influence of alcohol and other intoxicant products to keep Nigeria’s highways safe.

The Akwa Ibom Sector Commander of the Corps, Mr Oga Ochi, said this during the sensitisation campaign for drivers and travellers at some major motor parks in Uyo on Tuesday.

It was gathered that the sensitisation campaign was organised by FRSC in collaboration with Special Marshal unit on adherence to COVID-19 protocols and non-use of alcohol and drugs while driving.

Ochi said that drivers who indulged in speeding were always under the influence of alcohol and other intoxicant drugs.

He opined that speeding due to influence of alcohol was the major cause of road crashes in the country and would not be treated with levity by corps.

He said that the campaign on non-use of alcohol and drugs while driving would be sustained in all motor parks across the state.

The sector commander warned drivers to desist from the use of alcohol and drugs while driving, stressing that it give false judgement while on the highway.

“We know that one of the reasons crashes occur on our highways is the use of alcohol and other intoxicant products.

“That is why we think it necessary, that apart from enlightenment on COVID-19 protocols, we also make them know that drivers should be free from every form of alcohol and other intoxicant products.

“We realised that a number of times people take excess alcohol while conveying passengers, which eventually lead to their losing control by running into one problem or the other while on steering.

“That is why we combine this enlightenment with the use of breathalysers to ensure that those carrying passengers this morning are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“When you are under the influence of alcohol you are not likely to have perfect control of the vehicle while driving, as a result of that you have false judgement when you are still on the highway.

“A number of speeding by drivers is as result of influence of alcohol and we have noticed that speeding is the highest cause of road traffic crashes in the country. All drivers and stakeholders must ensure that there is safety on the highways,” Ochi said.

He reminded drivers and vehicles owners of COVID-19 protocols of not overloading their vehicles, adding that vehicles must not carry above 50 per cent carrying capacity to observe physical distancing.

The Akwa Ibom Coordinator of Special Marshal, RS 6.3, Dr Ezekiel Udom, appealed to drivers and passengers to adhere strictly to COVID-19 protocols while travelling to avoid the spread of the pandemic in the state.

Udom said that travellers were more exposed to COVID-19 than those who do not travel, stressing that travellers must be more cautious and adhere to safety protocols.