TRAFFIC OFFENDERS MAY BE ARRESTED BY VIO OFFICIALS, ACCORDING TO THE FRSC.

Babatunji Wusu –

Depending on the state in which they operate, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) are legally authorized to detain traffic violators, according to the FRSC.

In Abuja, Deputy Corps Marshal Bisi Kazeem of the FRSC declared that motorists should work with VIOs as much as possible to improve road safety.

VIOs are not authorized to detain drivers who violate traffic laws, such as those who drive vehicles that are overloaded or who are caught using cell phones while operating a vehicle, according to a statement made earlier by an FRSC unit commander in Abuja.

The unit commander must leave right away to report to national headquarters for any required administrative and disciplinary proceedings, per the orders of Corps Marshal Dauda Biu.

“The statement made by the unit commander should be disregarded by the general public as it does not represent the corporate or general position of the FRSC and was not approved by the FRSC Corps Marshal.”

“We recognize the role VIOs play in complementing the responsibilities of the FRSC through the enforcement of traffic laws, in line with sustaining the corps’ resolve that road safety is a collective responsibility,” Mr. Kazeem said.

He urged everyone who drives to always abide by all traffic laws and to work with law enforcement agencies that are assigned to keep the roads safe and orderly, regardless of their official duties.