The Cross River command of the Federal Road Safety Corps states that it aims to reduce traffic fatalities by 10 per cent in 2025 by combating speed-related offences.

Sector commander Innocent Etuk made the remark while reacting to the command’s initiative, tagged ‘Operation Isangtim’ in Calabar on Wednesday.

Mr Etuk explained that the operation, which commenced on Monday, was instituted to check speed-induced offences in order to  achieve its set goal.

He said that the operation targeted speed-induced offences, overloading with goods and passengers, dangerous driving, tyre violations, among others.

He added that the operation had recorded significant success with several violators apprehended, including those who attempted to bribe officers on duty.

“Two persons were apprehended for overloading offence, eight for driving licence violation, nine for seat-belt use violation, one for dangerous driving, and nine for vehicle papers violation,” said Mr Etuk. “Also, we had two persons apprehended for failure to install a speed limit device, three for light sign violation, four for tyre violation, two for vehicle windshield violation, and two for failure to move over.”

Speaking further, Mr Etuk noted that as part of the command’s homegrown initiatives, it was committed to reversing the dangerous trend of overloading.

According to the sector commander, this trend often led to avoidable crashes, loss of lives, and damage to properties.

He called on drivers to ensure that their papers and vehicles were in good condition, while urging them to drive with caution and obey traffic regulations, especially in the rainy season.

(NAN)