Bill To Arm Road Safety Officers With Guns Passes Second Reading In Reps

The House of Representatives has passed a bill for the second reading, proposing amendments to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Act, 2007, for the establishment of a Road Safety Special Armed Squad.

The bill, jointly sponsored by Hon. Abiodun Derin Adesida (APC, Ondo) and Hon. Olaide Lateef Muhammed (APC, Oyo), was unanimously supported by lawmakers during a plenary session on Thursday.

The Bill, jointly sponsored by Hon. Abiodun Derin Adesida (APC, Ondo) and Hon. Olaide Lateef Muhammed (APC, Oyo), was unanimously passed at plenary session on Thursday.

The bill, if passed, will grant the FRSC expanded powers, with regard to road traffic management, safety, and the prevention of road accidents on public highways.

It also aims to ensure that officers holding the rank of Deputy Corps Marshal receive the full retirement benefits associated with that rank.

The proposed amendments would empower the FRSC to handle tasks such as traffic control, public education on road safety, and the removal of obstructions on public roads.

Also, the House highlighted the need for the commission to adopt advanced technologies, including automated traffic enforcement systems and advanced data analytics, to improve road safety management.

The bill was advanced alongside a motion presented by Hon. Garba Ibrahim Muhammad (APC, Kano), urging the FRSC to reconsider its current enforcement methods.

Muhammad highlighted that physical checkpoints pose dangers to commuters, particularly for motorcycles and tricycles navigating steep roads.

He further raised concerns that the checkpoints contribute to traffic congestion and have become a hotspot for alleged corruption, with officials soliciting bribes or seizing vehicles for minor infractions.

Muhammad also cautioned against the high-speed chases conducted by FRSC officers pursuing traffic violators, and warned that such practices could lead to accidents, injuries, and risks to bystanders.

The House called for the FRSC to focus on evaluating the effectiveness of technological solutions and enforcement strategies to determine their impact on reducing traffic violations and improving overall road safety.