Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, said it would henceforth, withdraw the licences and prosecute any driver or fleet operator involved in fatal road crashes.
Its Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed issued the warning yesterday in Abuja at the annual Safety Manager Retreat with the theme, ‘Driver Management: Enhancing Safety Through Technology.’
The retreat was designed to routinely sensitise safety managers on issues and developments regarding the implementation of the Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme, RTSSS.
This is also to attain best practices in Fleet Operations and Management, particularly in this dynamic road transport sector of the economy.
The corps marshal said the event was a pivotal one aimed at addressing certain critical observations made by the corps regarding the management of fleet operations in the country so far with its attendant consequences.
Mohammed said the theme resonates deeply with the importance that the corps attached to the well-being of drivers, being an integral safety standard among the three stipulated minimum safety standards of RTSSS.
He added that the management of drivers which is central to this discourse was a task that every fleet operator must undertake with every bit of seriousness to enhance safety on our roads.
According to him, “We must also not fail to recognise that some of us have performed well in implementation of the stipulated Minimum Safety Standards of RTSSS.
“This, as you will attest to, must have also reflected in the patronage that your businesses enjoy, as well as reduced or non-involvement of your respective fleets in road traffic crashes.
“I therefore commend all of you in this category and also remind you that safety is a shared responsibility not only for government.
“After detailed review of previous fleet operators’ certification exercises, general assessment of RTSSS implementation nationwide and other observed gaps, the following measures as backed by law shall come into force:
“All identified non-compliant fleet operators will be served with pre-action notices for prosecution which must be followed to logical conclusion.
“Fleet operators who refuse access to their premises for certification teams will be prosecuted. Fleet operators who fail to meet certification standards twice will be suspended from operation.
“Certification stickers shall be issued only for vehicles installed with functional Speed Limiting Devices, SLD. Any driver or fleet operator involved in a fatal road traffic crash shall be liable to prosecution.”
In his remark, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun said the FRSC management had introduced new strategies to ensure effective traffic management across the country.
Egbetokun, represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 7, Mr Benneth Igwe, said the police would continue to complement the FRSC in curbing crimes and addressing the excesses of motorists on the road.
Similarly, representative of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Mrs Olubunmi Otti urged fleet operators to always protect passengers’ rights and ensure that they receive value for their money.
Report said over 2000 safety managers from various fleet operators attended the retreat, which aimed to promote best practices in fleet management, particularly in the dynamic road transport sector of Nigeria’s economy. NAN
