Following the enforcement of the law on the use of safety helmets by motorcyclists as from January 1, over 5,000 motorcyclists who failed to comply with the law have been arrested nationwide, says the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).
Corps Public Education Officer, Wole Olaniran, in a press statement issued in Abuja and made available to Sunday Independent explained that the FRSC had succeeded in creating awareness and arousing the interest of the general public while the state and local governments had also shown readiness in devising ways of making the helmets available to the public at subsidised rates.
Olaniran also disclosed that other regulatory agencies were now more interested in setting standards for motorcycle operation in the country while traditional rulers and religious leaders as well as commercial motorcycle unions and NGOs have expressed support for the government policy.
The FRSC Corps Public Education Officer, however, identified some challenges being faced in the enforcement of the safety helmet law to include passengers’ refusal to use the helmet and unruly behaviour of some motorcyclists, especially those who do not belong to any organised union.
Others include non-availability of helmets, high cost of the helmets where available, outright resistance in some states, slow response by state and local governments to support the enforcement drive, use of fake helmets, defiance of some motorcyclists to use the helmets even when they have them and non-compliance by some uniformed service personnel as other problems the commission.
He confirmed substantial compliance in Lagos, Borno, Kwara, and Enugu states, and commended the support being received from the government and people of Kano.
For the campaign to succeed, the officer directed all FRSC commands nationwide to intensify their public advocacy campaigns so as to win the full support of the public for the use of safety helmet by motorcyclists just as he expressed appreciation to the members of public for the support given to the commission so far.
According to him, Commission is appreciative of the support and understanding of all stakeholders so far, “and I want to assure all that the whole process will stabilise within the next few weeks”.