By Ige Adekunle
The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, (TRACE) has mandated all area commanders and divisional commanders to ensure strict enforcement of the agency’s zero tolerance for driving against the traffic.
The Chief Executive Officer of TRACE, Commander Seni Ogunyemi gave this hint in a press briefing with newsmen on Thursday in Ota, Ogun.
Ogunyemi said he would be holding the officers responsible for lack of proper monitoring of TRACE Operatives in enforcing the order adding that particular on for drivers committing one-way drive.
TRACE boss listed areas those drivers driving against one-way to include multiple bridges at odogboku, lafarge axis at Ewekoro, Sagamu interchange, Sango Idiroko Road, Imowo/Eleran, Ijebu Ibadan Exp, and Ilo-Awella, Ota.
Ogunyemi said he has drafted operatives to the affected areas where records of incessant accidents occurred almost on daily basis as a result of ‘One-Way’ driving.
He also implored the general public to stop encouraging recalcitrant drivers to flout traffic rules by pleading on their behalf when they are caught.
“Our experience is that most of the drivers apprehended are not new Offenders. They have become recalcitrant who deliberately flout traffic rules as they are aware that someone would plead for waiver or mitigation of penalty, on their behalf.
“The public should stop begging for offenders who drive against traffic as imposing stiff punishment on such drivers would serve as deterrent to others who intend to commit such offence.”he said.
Ogunyemi said that the rate at which drivers assaulting its operatives was worrisome while trying to discourage them from flouting traffic rules was worrisome.
He noted that driving against traffic was not an ideal thing as taking one-way always result to tragedy and many lives had been lost to this nefarious act.
“One-way drive by drivers virtually kill people almost every day at those areas mentioned earlier and TRACE could no longer tolerate infraction of traffic rules by offenders.
While reiterating TRACE commitment to collaborate with other sister agencies to continue to ensure highway safer for motoring public,
Ogunyemi said he had directed all area commanders and divisional Commanders to intensify campaign against driving against traffic through public enlightenment,radio and television programmes.(NAN).