Road safety measures in any society put in place to prevent severe injury and fatality to road users who are always at risk while crossing highways.
One such measures is the division of roads and vehicles into classes and recommendations are given on which vehicle type could use a particular road class.
In Rivers State, the expulsion of motor bikes, popularly known as okada, in 2013 saw the advent of tricycle popularly known as keke, a faster means of transportation within the State.
Keke drivers in 2013, were restricted to operate only internal roads within Port Harcourt metropolis.
However, some motorists have complained that these keke drivers have over the years drifted from their approved routes into major roads in Port Harcourt, including Government Reserved Areas.
Describing keke drivers as reckless, an insurance broker, Frank Ile noted that the move from their Rivers State Government approved routes into major roads in the city was done system matically over the years, explaining that this happened because of the absence of a monitoring body.
He stated, from being restricted to operate within internal roads in the Port Harcourt metropolis, keke drivers could now be seen operating on major roads such as Ada George, Trans Amadi, Ikwerre, East-West and NTA Roads.
He enjoined the relevant authorities to, “please check the operation of these keke drivers. They have become a menace on our roads because of their reckless driving and lack of consideration for other road users”.
Efforts to reach the State Transport Ministry for comment on the development was not successful.

Tonye Nria-Dappa