The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has commenced a special operation in Ebonyi to ensure that motorists comply with traffic regulations and ultimately reduce road crashes.

The FRSC Ebonyi sector Clcommander, Daniel Asanya, told journalists on Wednesday in Abakaliki that the special operation is titled: “Kwusi ihe mberede” (Stop Road Crashes).

Mr Asanya said that the operation, which was initiated by the zonal command of the corps in Enugu, would last from July 21 to July 23, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“The operation which serves as a preparatory exercise for the Ember months campaign, will be held for three days in July, August and September.

“We are focussing on traffic violations such as overloading and mix loading, non- instalation of speed limiters, road violations, use of phones while driving, over speeding among others,” he said.

The FRSC sector commander remarked that, in cases of overloading, vehicles tend to lose control when loaded beyond their capacities.

“When animals and humans are coveyed together as in the case of mixed loading, the driver faces serious challenges when one misbehaves.

“Drivers licence certifies a driver to ply on roads within the duration of the licence’s eligibility.

“There are instances where a driver obtains a licence but due to mishaps resulting to amputations, he will no longer be eligible to use such licence,” he said.

He noted that the exercise would clamp down on drivers who violate traffic regulations, such as driving against traffic.

“This violation has dire consequences to pedestrians who cross roads with the full assurance that they are on their right of passage.

“Unknown to them, some drivers drive against traffic and hit them in the process, resulting to deaths and life–threatning injuries.

“There are also drivers who make or answer phone calls while driving thereby putting lives in danger especially when the call contents put them off,” he said.

He said that adequate enlightenment had been carried out for the operation, noting that the overall aim is to save lives on the roads.

“The enforcement is not to victimise anyone but to ensure that motorists comply with traffic regulations,” he said.

 (NAN)