The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) prosecuted 274 traffic offenders for 352 offences in Onitsha, Anambra State, between July and September.
Its Unit Commander in Onitsha, Mr. Paulinus Akpotobo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Oba in Idemili South Local Government that the prosecutions were carried out in locations, using a mobile court.
Speaking at a lecture on the highway code for the Tipper Owners and Welfare Association of Anambra State, Akpotobo said 30 vehicles were impounded, 16 confiscated and 23 drivers cautioned.
“Motorists still overload their vehicles and drive without seatbelts in the Onitsha corridors, but the unit has intensified its enforcement on overload, especially in these `ember months,” he said.
The unit commander had urged the tipper drivers to obey traffic rules, avoid overloading and ensure that their tyres were in good shape before embarking on any trip.
He advised them to obtain new drivers’ licence, which demanded that they go to the licence centre for biometric capture.
“Any drivers’ licence issued to you within three days or without capturing your face, finger prints and electronic signature is fake.
“If you are caught with it, you will be apprehended and made to pay a fine,” Akpotobo said.
The Unit Commander for Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government, Mr. Patrick Ogbu, cautioned the drivers against overloading their vehicles.
He advised them to stop creating compartments in their vehicles just to carry more sand or stones.
“You should respect smaller vehicles and humans and not use your horns to create fears in them,” Ogbu said.
The association President, Mr. Hycent Okafor, hailed the FRSC for the lecture, promising that members would adhere to the rules and introduce internal disciplinary measures.