FRSC Sanctions 176 Motorists For Traffic Offences

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said 176 motorists were convicted for various road offences in Rivers State.

The sector commander in the state, Dr Kayode Olagunju, said this in an interview in Port Harcourt Monday.

Olagunju said that the convicts were part of the 189 motorists arrested and prosecuted by the four road traffic mobile courts set up by the state’s chief judge.

He said that courts operated in Port Harcourt, Isiokpo, in Ikwerre Government Area, Eleme, in Eleme Local Government Area and Ahoada, in Ahoada Local Government Area.

According to him, “One hundred and eighty-nine (189) drivers were actually prosecuted out of which 13 were discharged and acquitted while 176 were found guilty of the offences ranging from over-loading , seat-belt violation, use of phones while driving, dangerous driving, overtaking dangerously or in a place not safe, mechanically defective vehicles; so they are all embracing.

“So far, we have 176 convictions and also, with fines ranging between N1,000 and N30, 000 and jail terms of between one month and six months and they are all given options of fine which means, only those who cannot afford to pay the fine will actually go to prison.”

Olagunju said that the mobile courts were permanent structures designed to ensure orderliness on the road by prosecuting traffic violators during and after the yuletide period.

He warned drivers to avoid alcohol while driving, especially at the yuletide, adding that the mobile courts had been equipped with the required gadgets for alcohol detection.