The Lagos State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps has said that the command is ramping up efforts to ensure road safety beyond the yuletide season, under its ongoing “Operation Zero Tolerance Programme.”
This initiative aims to reduce accidents and ensure the free flow of traffic on major routes within Lagos State.
In an exclusive interview with PUNCH Online on Saturday, the Lagos State Public Enlightenment Officer for the FRSC, Route Commander Elizabeth Jayeola, highlighted the programme’s key focus areas and strategies.
“We are still within the ‘Operation Zero Tolerance Programme’ till after the school resumption. We are doing our bit to ensure the free flow of traffic on every corridor (Lagos-Ibadan, Apapa-Badagry, Lekki-Epe),” Jayeola said.
She emphasised that enlightenment campaigns remain central to their approach, targeting a broad audience in public spaces and schools.
“Also, our enlightenment programmes are ongoing in churches, parks, and mosques, and we’ll start schools as soon as they resume back so we can continue catching them young,” she added.
She explained that while enforcement measures such as issuing fines are in place for traffic offenders, the FRSC is equally focused on education and behavioural change to promote long-term safety.
“Apart from booking them accordingly, we also enlighten them to form a behavioural change in them,” Jayeola explained.
She further highlighted that offenders who exhibit particularly dangerous driving behaviours are made to undergo psychological evaluations.
“No, booking is not the only way to put them to books. Education is part of what we use; also, some recalcitrants among them are made to go for psychological tests. It depends on their behaviour on the roads,” Jayeola noted.
Addressing specific unsafe driving practices, Jayeola pointed out that actions such as making phone calls while driving, neglecting seatbelt use, wrongful overtaking, and speeding reflect a disregard for safety and responsibility.
“It is widely known that engaging in unsafe driving behaviours, such as making phone calls while driving, neglecting to use a seatbelt, wrongful overtaking, and speeding, reflects a disregard for personal safety and the safety of others on the road.
“These actions are often seen as irresponsible and indicative of poor judgment, which can endanger lives,” she said.
She added that to mitigate these risks, offenders are often referred for psychological evaluations at approved medical facilities.
“To address this, offenders are typically required to undergo psychological evaluation at approved hospitals. This step ensures that they are mentally and emotionally fit to operate a vehicle responsibly.
“The goal is to confirm their fitness to be on the road, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and protecting other road users. Such evaluations serve as a critical measure to promote safer driving habits and enhance overall road safety for everyone,” she explained.
Jayeola further stated that measures are in place to monitor compliance after psychological evaluations to ensure offenders do not relapse into unsafe driving behaviours.
“Measures are put in place to monitor compliance after psychological evaluations. Once an offender is subjected to a psychological test and deemed fit to return to driving, they are typically required to participate in a mandatory safety education program. This program reinforces safe driving habits and the importance of adhering to traffic rules,” she said.
She concluded by emphasising that this dual approach of corrective and preventive measures is designed to promote long-term compliance with traffic regulations and ensure safer roads for all users.
“This approach emphasises both corrective and preventive measures to promote long-term compliance and ensure safer roads for all users,” Jayeola added.
Jayeola emphasised that the FRSC’s ongoing efforts under the “Operation Zero Tolerance Programme” underscores its commitment to reducing road accidents and instilling a culture of safe driving in Lagos State. (Punch)
