MAKURDI – The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has decried the poor usage of crash helmets and seat belts by motorists in Benue.
The Sector Commander of the commission in the state, Mr. Habu Daudu, told newsmen in Makurdi that most motorists preferred to pay fines to the use of such protective devices.
“Most motorists in Benue and indeed, most states in the Northern parts of the country, prefer to pay fines instead of using helmets,” Daudu said.
He attributed the trend to “attitudinal problems”, stressing that most of the time, “it is discovered that some even have the helmets but will deliberately leave them at home”.
The sector commander, therefore, advised motorists to always use such protective devices to safeguard their lives in times of accidents.
He also warned drivers in the state to avoid making phone calls while driving.
He said the commission was sensitising drivers to the need to install speed limit control mechanisms on their vehicles to avoid speeding and dangerous driving.
Daudu, however, said the commission had witnessed a reduction in road accidents in the state since the beginning of the year, and attributed the feat to the efforts of the command.
He said by the beginning of June, the commission would commence the enforcement of the speed limit regulation on the highways across the state.
He said the commission had trained its personnel on election duty coverage and would liaise with other security agencies in the state to ensure smooth conduct of the forthcoming general elections.