The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is set to begin psyche evaluation of drivers who overload their vehicles with passengers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

FRSC said that drivers who carry overload of passengers especially two in front will be made pay N10, 000; their vehicles impounded and made to attend two weeks enlightenment programs in their office.

Assistant Corps Commander, Dutse Alhaji unit command, ACC Okonkwo Chima said that driving and loading habit of drivers within the FCT have become a cause of concern.

He said this in Abuja at a Road Safety workshop held for drivers at the Dutse Alhaji bus garage by FRSC in collaboration with Greenlight initiative.

His words, “Another huge problem we are having now is the increase in people chatting while driving, we see a lot of ladies now chatting while driving, so what we are trying to say is that chatting while driving, phoning while driving  and carrying overload distracts the driver.

“We are presently doing a whole lot to curb the menace of drivers carrying two passengers in the front seat, which is overloading; we impounded over thirty vehicles that where overloaded on Monday, this vehicles where overloaded not because of luggages but human beings, carrying two people in front is an overload.

“Now drivers that overload will be booked, the vehicle will be impounded, the penalty for overload is N10, 000 and we will send the person for emotional evaluation test, to be sure the person is emotionally stable and at the end, take the person for two weeks public enlightenment programs where we will spend time showing you videos of people who have been involved in crashes.”

Executive Director, Greenlight initiative Simon Obi said that the number of global road traffic deaths continues to rise steadily, reaching a record figure of 1.35 million annually.

He said, “As the world marked the 5th UN Global Road Safety Week which began on the 6th -12 May 2019, it is believed that stronger leadership is needed to advance road safety course. According to global status report by the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of road traffic deaths continues to rise steadily, reaching a record figure of 1.35 million annually, these indicate that progress to realize Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.6 Which calls for a 50% reduction in the number of road traffic deaths by 2020 remains a mirage. Road traffic injuries are now the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years. This is unacceptable as these are all preventable and avoidable deaths.”