The Enugu State Government has launched a traffic sensitisation campaign across major areas of the state, warning motorists and other road users that enforcement of traffic regulations will begin after the exercise.
The Enugu State Government has commenced a road safety sensitisation campaign for motorists and other road users, warning that strict enforcement of traffic regulations will begin after the exercise.
The sensitisation campaign, which started at the popular Otigba Junction and extended through Trans-Ekulu and Abakpa areas of the state, was led by the Commissioner for Transport, Mr Richard Agu.
Speaking during the exercise, Agu said the campaign followed a stakeholders’ meeting held on Tuesday involving security and road safety agencies responsible for maintaining safety on the state’s roads.
The meeting had representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), Fire Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), among others.
The commissioner explained that the exercise, tagged “The Implementation of Safety of the Wheel”, was designed to promote compliance with traffic regulations through guidance, courtesy and mutual respect among road users.
“My intention is not to stop your business but to help you do it in the right way by obeying traffic rules.
“Enugu people are normally obedient people, so what they require is a little guidance for them to follow the rules very well,” he said.
Agu appealed to residents to cooperate with traffic officials and treat them with respect, adding that he had cautioned his staff against disrespectful treatment of motorists and other road users.
He stressed that mutual respect among motorists, pedestrians and traffic officials was essential to preventing road rage and ensuring safety.
The commissioner also emphasised the need for motorists to observe traffic rules at roundabouts, explaining that drivers must give way to vehicles approaching from their left before proceeding.
He urged pedestrians to adopt basic road safety precautions by looking left, right and left again before crossing roads. He also reminded road users of the traffic light signals: stop at red, get ready at yellow and proceed at green.
Warning against driving against traffic, popularly known as one-way driving, Agu described the practice as dangerous and unacceptable.
“Anybody that runs one-way is not well. As far as I am concerned, I support the law that says anybody that runs one-way should be taken for psychiatric evaluation,” he said.
He further disclosed that traffic officials would provide manual traffic control whenever traffic lights were not functioning.
According to him, the state government is also working towards introducing independent traffic lights that would operate without depending on public electricity supply.
Agu cautioned commercial transport operators against indiscriminate parking and double parking, stressing that their business activities must not obstruct the free flow of traffic.
He also directed tricycle operators to adopt an orderly loading arrangement by using designated spaces to prevent congestion and allow other road users to move freely.
The highlight of the sensitisation exercise was the commissioner personally taking charge of traffic control in the areas visited.
Visit GMTNewsng for more news stories.
