PEDESTRIANS who fail to overhead footbridges in Abuja now face the prospect of being jailed for three months under new regulations being introduced by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).  

Introduced as part of a measure to cut deaths on roads and motorways across the FCT, the FRSC will from henceforth arrest and prosecute anyone caught not using a footbridge. FCT FRSC commander, Sunday Oghenekaro revealed the new measures yesterday at the  2015 Nigerian Breweries/ Federal Road Safety Corps Don’t Drink and Drive road safety campaign held in Abuja. 

He added that sub-regulations (10) and (11) of the National Road Traffic Regulation 2012 empowers the corps to arrest any defaulter of the pedestrian bridge and such person is liable on conviction to a fine of N2000 or to a term of three months imprisonment or both. Commander Oghenekaro also noted that it is unwise and unsafe to combine alcohol with driving, warning that driving under influence is unsafe, affects vision and judgement, as well as reduces coordination and slows down reactions. 

Ahead of the festive season and the travelling that is involved, Commander Oghenekaro warned drivers against overloading, dangerous overtaking, distracted driving, including making or receiving calls and excessive speeding. He pointed out that anyone caught violating these rules will be prosecuted accordingly. 

While speaking on the repeated sponsoring of the programme, the representative of the Nigerian Breweries, Vivian Ikem, noted that although the firm produces alcoholic drinks, it values the lives of its customers more than the profits of the shareholders. During the Christmas season, road deaths are generally on the riser across Nigeria due to the large number of people who travel.