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Tag: Traffic Rules

  • Dispatch riders to face stiffer penalties for traffic rules violation

    Dispatch riders to face stiffer penalties for traffic rules violation

    The Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) in the  FCT, says it will apply stiffer penalties on any dispatch rider for violating traffic rules and regulations in the territory.

    The Spokesman of the service, Kalu Emetu stated this in an interview with NAN on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Emetu said the development had become imperative having realised that all the measures put in place, such as fine did not yield the desired result.

    He said that the development informed the establishment of driving school where they are trained when caught for non-compliance.

    “There is no day we don’t correct up to at least 50 riders as a result of one offence or the other.

    “This has also prompted the service to stop registering more of the riders because of the nuisance they are constituting to the city,”he said.

    The spokesman said that this was one of the measures the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through the service, was putting in place to ease ways of doing business in the FCT.

    “It is a known fact that a delivery that ought to have taken 30 minutes or so to be delivered, will take some of them if not all, at most 10 minutes to do so.

    “But the question is, as much as they are trying to move any item from point A to B as quickly as possible, they should also obey traffic rules and regulations.

    “This development usually leads to outright arrest by our men on patrol within the city.

    “Immediately they are caught, they are immediately sent to the driving school for training and at the end of the day, they would have missed virtually everything they are pursuing for that day, ”he said.

    He explained that whenever any of them is caught, the service writes to the company because the bike is not registered in their names with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

    Emetu explained that it is left for the company to check whether the rider was still fit to continue to work with them or not.

    “We have what is called a Riders Certification Card (RCC).

    “So, once in a year, they are expected to come for training and after the training, we give them the certificate to show that they undergo the correctional riding skill.”

    The spokesman added that all these measures were put in place to ensure that they do the right thing by obeying traffic rules and regulations.

    “No speeding, no wrong overtaking, no riding against traffic  and whatever they are carrying should be inside the box attached to their bikes.

    “There are certain measurements for the boxes, meaning they should not carry anything that will not be inside the boxes.

    “No carrying of passengers among other things. But yet we still see them doing it in some locations and when caught, we fine them heavy than before to avoid a repeat, ”he said.

    Emetu said that all these measures were to prove to them that it was no longer business as usual.

  • IGP orders police convoys to obey traffic rules

    IGP orders police convoys to obey traffic rules

    The acting Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Olukayode Egbetokun, has directed all police convoys in the country to obey all traffic rules and regulations.

    According to the IGP, the force must obey traffic rules, regardless of their operations.

    The IG gave the directive on Monday during his meeting with the Mobile Police Squadron and commanders at the Force headquarters in Abuja.

    He noted that the Force must lead by example if it is to command the respect of the general public. He, therefore, pledged to lead by example, promising to also observe all traffic regulations.

    He said, “Let me end this speech by reminding you that those who keep the peace must be the epitome of peace. Those whose duty is to enforce the laws of the land must respect and obey the laws of the land. Without obeying the laws, the Police lack the moral high ground to interrogate and bring lawbreakers to book.

    “Consequently, in line with my vision of building a rule of law compliant Police Force, it is my directive that henceforth all police convoys on routine, non-emergency movements must obey traffic lights and other traffic rules, I pledge to lead by example in this regard. As you will be returning to your various bases, I wish you a safe journey and please be assured of my best wishes always.”

    Speaking further, the IG also said the newly created special squad—Special Intervention Squad—will comprise 40,000 specially trained officers, selected from the pool of existing Police Mobile Force personnel and all tactical units across the country.

    He said, “Modalities for the creation of a new special squad—the Special Intervention Squad have been initiated. This special squad will consist of 40,000 specially trained elite officers. The Squad will be formed by selecting officers from the pool of existing Police Mobile Force personnel and all tactical units in the country.

    “These officers will undergo intensive pre-deployment training to make them combat-ready for frontline operational duties in all the states of the Federation, with a particular focus on areas plagued with unrest and turmoil. By pooling together the expertise and experience of our PMF personnel and other tactical units, we can establish a formidable force that is well-equipped to handle the evolving challenges we face.

    “This dedicated force will bolster our capacity to respond swiftly and decisively to security threats, ensuring that our presence is felt and our response is effective in every corner of our country.

    “1,000 personnel from this new squad will be deployed to every state of the Federation for immediate operations as standby intervention units, while more troubled spots or zones will receive the remaining officers out of the 40,000.

    “These officers will not perform routine police duties but will be housed and kept combat-ready at all times, engaging in daily training in readiness for deployments to intercept and neutralize high-profile criminals and those terrorizing our communities. They will be deployed to intervene rapidly and proactively in any situation necessary in their states of assignment”, Egbetokun said.