The role of the activities of the Federal Road Safety Corps in accident prevention

Introduction

According to Ibrahim and Olukoju (2008), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is a government parastatal charged with the responsibility of controlling the activities of motorists and reduction of road traffic accidents and the consequent human and material losses. In pursuit of this objective, the FRSC instituted a harmonization of the various road traffic laws into the National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR). Notable among these laws were the Highway (motor traffic) Ordinary of 1913 in Southern Nigeria, which was Nigeria’s first transport law. Others were the Motor Traffic Ordinance of 1916 of nationwide applicability; the Road Traffic Act, the Federal Highway Act and the law of Carriage (Bolade and Ogunsanya, 2011).

Wakawa and Oyeyemi (2007) stated that the functions of the FRSC generally relates to making the highway safe for motorists and other road users, recommending works and devices designed to eliminate or minimize accidents on the highways and advising the federal and state governments and other relevant governmental agencies on the localities where such works and devices are required, and educating motorists and members of the public on the importance of discipline on the highway.

Conceptual framework

Federal Road Safety Corps is the government agency with statutory responsibilities for road safety administration in Nigeria. Odedokun (2010) referred to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Nigeria as a child or necessity born of the need to arrest the rising increase in road traffic accidents in the 1970s which was as a result of the upsurge in vehicular traffic during the country’s economic boom.

According to Ibrahim and Olukoju (2008), the FRSC can meaningfully be referred to as the watchdog of the Nigerian government charged with the responsibility reducing to the barest minimum the incidents of traffic accidents and the consequent human and material losses by making the highway safe for motorists and other road users, recommending works and devices designed to eliminate or minimize accidents on the highways and advising the Federal and State Governments including the Federal Capital Territory Administration and relevant governmental agencies on the localities where such works and devices are required, and educating motorists and members of the public on the importance of discipline on the highway (Atubi & Onokala, 2015).

Historical background of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)

Prior to the establishment of Federal Road Safety Commission in 1988, there was no concrete and sustained policy action to address the carnage on Nigerian roads. Earlier attempts in this direction were limited to discrete and isolated attempts by some states of the federation and individuals. Onakomaiya (2011) stated that notable among the efforts to institute a formidable road safety program was the effort of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) between 1960 and 1965, also the effort of the Nigerian Army in the training of its officers and men on road safety in the early 1970s also contributed to road safety ideas and consciousness in Nigeria: The Nigerian Army started the First Public Road Safety Campaign in 1972 when it initiated an annual Road Safety Week (Ovuworie, 2011).

Umeano (2011) stated that the first deliberate policy on road safety was the creation in 1974 of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) by the then military government. The impact of the Commission was however, not sustained. In 1977, the Military Administration in Oyo State, Nigeria established the Oyo State Road Safety Corps which made some local significant improvements in road safety and road discipline in the state. That lasted till 1983, when it was disbanded by the federal government.

According to Nnadi and Ibe (2007), the continued dangerous trend of road traffic accidents in Nigeria then, the Nigerian government saw the need to establish the present Federal Road Safety Corps in 1988 to address the carnage on the highways. In February 1988, the Federal Government established the Federal Road Safety Commission through Decree No. 45 of the 1988 as amended by Decree 35 of 1992 referred to in the statute books as the FRSC Act cap 141 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN). Passed by the National Assembly as Federal Road Safety Corps (establishment) Act 200.

Up to the late 1970s, there was little concern about road safety matters in Nigeria and little attention was accorded to road traffic accidents, prevention strategies and remedies. The need for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) became necessary due to skyrocketed road crash indices in the late 1970s all through the 1980s (Wakawa & Oyeyemi, 2007).

The alarming trend of the road traffic accidents was consistent with the growth in Nigeria’s vehicular fleet, given that more than ninety percent of total transportation demand was satisfied by the road subsector alone (Adeniji, 2007).

Responsibilities of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)

Ademiluyi and Solanke (2006) stated that the functions of the Federal Road Safety Corps generally relates to making the highway safe for motorists and other road users, recommending works and devices designed to eliminate or minimize accidents on the highways and advising the Federal and State Governments including the Federal Capital Territory Administration and relevant governmental agencies on the localities where such works and devices are required, and educating motorists and members of the public on the importance of discipline on the highway.

In particular the Onokala (2015) stated that the Federal Road Safety Corps in exercise of the functions, members of the Commission have power to arrest and prosecute persons reasonably suspected of having committed any traffic offence by carrying out their responsibilities which include:

1. Preventing or minimizing accidents on the highway: The Federal Road Safety Corps help in preventing or minimizing road accidents by educating road users on the need to maintain safety precaution while on the road. Apart from educating road users, they also compel them to comply by arresting and penalizing defaulters.
2. Clearing obstructions on any part of the highways: Obstruction such as those emanating from fallen trees, accident scene and the likes, are cleared by the Federal Road Safety Corps to ensure free flow of traffic and prevent traffic congestion which could result from such obstructions.
3. Designing and producing the driver’s license to be used by various categories of vehicle operators: Designing and classifying the dirver’s license are carried out by the Federal Road Safety Corps. They determine who is fit to drive a particular vehicle and the type of licence to be issued to the individual.
4. Determining, from time to time, the requirements to be satisfied by an applicant for a driver’s licence: From experience from the field, the Federal Road Safety Corps determine from time to time the requirement an individual need to satisfy before he or she can be issued a driver’s licence.
5. Designing and producing vehicle number plates: For easy identification of vehicles and attaching them to a particular user, the Federal Road Safety Corps are saddled with the responsibility of designing and producing number plates for vehicles.
6. The standardization of highway traffic codes: For easy identification and uniformity, the Federal Road Safety Corps standard different highway codes and communicate these codes to road users and also inform them on penalty applicable for any case of violation.
7. Giving prompt attention and care to victims of accidents: In case of accidents, the Federal Road Safety Corps in conjunction with the paramedics offered first aid treatment to the victims before they are taken to the nearby hospital to further attention.
8. Research on cause of road traffic accidents: The Federal Road Safety Corps conduct researches into causes of motor accidents and methods of preventing them and putting into use the result of such researches.
9. Determine and enforce speed limit: Depending on the different areas in the road, the Federal Road Safety Corps determine and enforce speed limits for all categories of roads and vehicles and controlling the use of speed limiting devices.
10. Regulate the usage of sirens, flashers and beacon lights: The Federal Road Safety Corps regulates the use of sirens, flashers and beacon lights on vehicles other than ambulances and vehicles belonging to the armed forces, Nigeria police, fire service and other para-military agencies.

Table 1: Offences and penalties enforced by the FRSC

(Source: Federal Road Safety Commission, 2015).

Challenges facing the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)

The Federal Road Safety Corps in carrying out their statutory responsibilities are faced with several challenges which according to Oyesiku (2012) include but not limited to:

• Poor safety consciousness of road users
• Inadequate manpower
• Lack of automated traffic violation detection devices
• Inadequate logistical facilities
• Increasing cases of mob attacks
• Apathy of health institution towards accident victims

1. Poor safety consciousness of road users: Bad attitude of road users toward safety practices in no doubt makes the work of the FRSC difficult since most road users do not use their own initiative to observe safety practices on the road. Many drivers make calls with their cells phones while on the wheels. Their counterparts on tricycle (keke) do the same, and the motorcycle drivers (okada) are not left out. Truck and tanker drivers that ply our highways are not left out in this ignoble practice of breaking traffic rules. They park their vehicles indiscriminately, and endanger the lives of other road users. On the other hand many drivers drive under the influence of alcohol and other mind-bending substances. Many others disobey traffic lights while others stubbornly drive against traffic (Oyesiku, 2012).
2. Inadequate manpower: The FRSC in Nigeria when compared with the population of road users are grossly under-staffed. Inadequate manpower experienced by the FRSC reduces the effectiveness in monitoring the activities of road users thereby making most of the road users to commit traffic offences unnoticed by the FRSC leading to the occurrence of traffic accidents (Bolade & Ogunsanya, 2011).
3. Lack of automated traffic violation detection devices: Lack of automated traffic violation devices makes it very easy for road users to commit traffic offences which could lead to accidents since the FRSC cannot be at every part of the road all times. The FRSC cannot be at every point in the road at all times so traffic offences committed by road users cannot be easily detected. But with the use of automated traffic violation detection devices, these offences can be recorded at all times and road users in order to avoid punishment will comply with traffic regulation at all points of the road and at all times (Adeniji, 2007).
4. Inadequate logistical facilities: Inadequate logistical facilities such as patrol vehicles, towing vans, and aerial control helicopters has greatly impede to the activities of the FRSC in monitoring traffic offenders and accident victims rescue missions.
5. Increasing cases of mob attacks: The FRSC is currently faced with increasing cases of mob attacks on the personnel and offices across the Country, leading to destruction of patrol vehicles and other equipment. 40 cases were recorded in 2013 alone while 21 cases were recorded between in 2014. Over 100 personnel sustained various degrees of injury in the attacks while a staff on duty was kidnapped in the Ebonyi State. Most of the attacks were unleashed on members of the Corps by culprits who are conscious of the fact that the Corps is not armed (Adeiele, 2015).
6. Apathy of health institution towards accident victims: After the necessary first aid had been given to road accident victims by the Federal Road Safety Corps in conjunction with paramedics, the same attention is usually not patient by the health institutions with the urgency need by these victims due to apathy on the side of the health workers or the demand for deposit before a major care can be carried out. As a result of this, victims whose relatives cannot be reached which are usually the case are left to die making the effort of the Federal Road Safety Corps in saving the lives of accident victims futile (Adeiele, 2015).

2.5 Consequences of the poor performance of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)

As a result of the various challenges faced by the FRSC, the commission has performed below expectation which according to Ikporukpo (2008) has resulted to the following:

• Poor monitoring of road users
• Road traffic congestion
• Increase in road traffic accidents
• Loss of lives and properties by road users.

1. Poor monitoring of road users: Poor performance of the FRSC has greatly resulted to poor monitoring of road users. This is evident in the fact that road users wilfully common offences such as making of phone calls while driving, wrongful overtaking in bend corners, driving against traffic, driving without the use of seat belt, etc. (Ikporukpo, 2008).
2. Road traffic congestion: Several cases of traffic congestion in Nigeria is due to carelessness of road users which is a consequence of the poor monitoring of road users by the FRSC. It is a common habit especially in the cities to see drivers trying to outdo other drivers casing gridlock in the roads leading to traffic congestion (Ukpong, 2014).
3. Increase in road traffic accidents: Poor performance of the FRSC has greatly increase the rate of road traffic accidents as a result of allowing drivers to drive vehicles with worn out tyres, scattered windscreen, poor headlights, faulty brakes, etc. (Umeano, 2011)
4. Loss of lives and properties: A lot of lives and properties have been lost in Nigeria as a result of road traffic accidents which are consequences of poor performance of the FRSC. Some of the drivers who get involved in road traffic accidents where not supposed to be allowed to be on the road in the first place. For example, drunk drivers would have been arrested by the FRSC before the get involved in an accident (Onakomaiya, 2009).

Measures to improve the activities of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)

David (2009) stated that the effort of the federal road safety cannot be noticed until road users adopt or acquire sufficient safety education to develop positive safety attitudes and habits.

Anaekwe (2009) stated that the activities of the FRSC can be improved through the following strategies:

1. The federal road safety should be adequately staffed in proportion to the ever increasing number of road users.
2. There should be provision of adequate traffic violation detection devices in all parts of the road to detect traffic offenders.
3. The FRSC should be provided with modern technological gadgets to help them in carrying out their surveillance exercises of road users.
4. The federal government should effectively carry out planning or ordering the environment to make it accident free by constructing and maintaining good road network in the country. Enough road signs should be provided at strategic points to inform road users of sharp bends, pedestrian crossing, T-junctions, roundabouts, danger.
5. The FRSC should create adequate awareness among road users on the need to develop responsible attitude toward their own safety.
6. Strengthen synergy amongst all the highway security agencies and the federating states in traffic management, with FRSC acting as the Lead agency.
7. Implement limited arms use to protect our staff and vital installations from hoodlums and vandals;
8. Source improved funding of the Corps to drive efficiency and growth.
9. Strive to meet the goals of Accra Declaration, the UN Decade of Action for road safety, and Vision 20:2020 aimed at making Nigerian roads one of the twenty safest roads in the world

References

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