TIMARIV Tasks Drivers On Basic Training

The Chief Traffic Controller of Rivers State Road Traffic
Management Agency (TIMARIV), Mr. Confidence Eke has reiterated the need for
both private and commercial drivers to have basic training in driving and
knowledge of road signs in order to reduce accidents on the nation roads.

Mr. Eke made this assertion during an interview with The
Tide correspondent in Port Harcourt while mobilising officers of the agency to
strategic positions of the collapsed Airforce Fly-Over Bridge along G.U. Ake/
Airport Road by Port Harcourt/ Aba Express Way to control free flow of traffic
in the area.

According to him, lack of basic training had contributed to
the carnage on the road, saying most drivers do not consider safety while
driving.

“For a driver not to risk his life on the road, he should
acquire the basic training in driving in an approved driving school in the
country,” Eke said, adding that such would help reduce the work load for
traffic management agencies in the country and in Rivers State in particular.

He also noted that such qualified drivers needed refresher
courses every year to update their driving skills, and advised that the
motoring public should stop attacking officers of TIMARIV who were performing
their legitimate duties.

Meanwhile, the Team Leader of ACE Centre Driving School,
Port Harcourt, Mr. Nduka Ejoh has also stated that drivers without basic
driving  skills were the most violators
of traffic rules as they put safety at the
background and took avoidable risks, thereby contributing to the number
of accidents on the roads.

Mr. Ejoh, who made this assertion in a chart with The
Tide  in Port Harcourt last Monday said
poor vehicle maintenance, driving under the influence of alcohol, other substances,
poor road condition, bad eyesight and other factors were responsible to road
crashes. He noted that with formal driving knowledge, such reckless attitudes
could be checked.

He noted that the centre is willing to synergy with
establishments and government agencies to promote safe driving on the road and
commended TIMARIV for their efforts in controlling free flow of traffic.

It will be recalled that ACE centre also trained traffic
offenders from TIMARIV through correctional basic training in driving.

Collins Barasimieye