The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has intensified efforts to clamp down on traffic offenders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), leading to the arrest of 823 drivers for allegedly running red lights. This development comes as part of a larger operation aimed at curbing the rampant disregard for traffic regulations, which the FRSC claims is a significant contributor to road crashes and gridlock in the nation’s capital.
According to a statement released on Friday by FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, the corps also issued 923 fines for various traffic offenses. In addition, 189 vehicles were impounded, and 634 driver’s licenses and vehicle documents were confiscated as part of the crackdown. The targeted operation focuses on offenses such as failure to obey traffic lights, improper use of zebra crossings, and other related traffic infractions.
Ogungbemide emphasized that the operation is designed to “reduce the high incidence of traffic light violations, which contribute significantly to road crashes and gridlocks in the FCT.” He added that the initiative would involve “speedy arrest and prosecution of traffic light violators, public enlightenment campaigns on traffic rules, and collaboration with other security agencies to enhance traffic management.”
In line with this operation, the Corps Marshal, who approved the exercise, expressed strong disapproval of traffic light violations, noting their alarming impact on road safety in the FCT. “Traffic light violations are a major contributor to road crashes and must be brought to a halt by all operational means necessary within the ambit of the law,” the statement read.
