The Federal Road Safety Corps has said that it has the legal power to seize the driver’s licence of any motorist violating traffic regulations.
FRSC added that driver’s licence belongs to the federal government.
Speaking at a stakeholders meeting organized by the FRSC RS8.17 Ilorin unit command for members of transport unions in the metropolis on Thursday, the unit commander, Zakari Mohammed, however, said that FRSC officials were not authorized to seize vehicle’s documents.
Presenting a paper titled, ‘Your right when dealing with FRSC official’, the corps’ legal officer, Kayode Ajibike, said that driver’s licence allows motorists to make use of roads as a taxpayer.
Ajibike also said that the FRSC officials have the legal power to tow vehicle of any erring driver which had obstructed the road or any vehicle suspected to have been stolen saying such vehicle would be handed over to police.
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Speaking on limitations of the FRSC officials, the legal officer said that motorists could challenge the validity of any arrest when it was observed that such offence was outside the law of the land.
“If you know you have not committed the offence which you are accused of, you can challenge such road safety official. When you also know that you have been treated badly, you are empowered to take photo or video shot of the matter, take name from the name tag of the official, take down date, time, the road, and the incident happened and send such complaint to e-mail address: [email protected], [email protected] or deliver personally at the FRSC headquarters, Abuja”, he said.
Also speaking, the unit commander identified overspeeding, fatigue, and lack of road safety knowledge among both commercial and private vehicle owners as reasons for auto crash in the area.
Mr. Mohammed, therefore, advised motorists to be safety-conscious at all times and obey traffic signs and regulations to ensure accident-free motoring.
In attendance at the programme were members of transport unions, market leaders and other transport-related organizations in the area. [PUNCH]
