on the 2015 speed limiter enforcement (l)

Do you know that excessive speeding remains our biggest worry? Did you hear my boss, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Boboye Oyeyemi  a fortnight ago when he lamented over the 2014 road traffic crashes? Did you hear him say speed induced road traffic crashes accounted for 50.8 per cent of reported […]

Do you know that excessive speeding remains our biggest worry? Did you hear my boss, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Boboye Oyeyemi  a fortnight ago when he lamented over the 2014 road traffic crashes? Did you hear him say speed induced road traffic crashes accounted for 50.8 per cent of reported road traffic crashes which, according to him, justifies FRSC introduction of speed limiting devices. Do you know that it is less than four months to the June 1, 2015 deadline? Do you know that   commercial vehicles account for 30 per cent of road traffic crashes and about 40 per cent of fatalities? The projection is that if this novel strategy succeeds, crashes will reduce by 30 per cent
 
As you read this piece, the Corps has embarked on yet another round of stakeholders’ sensitization on the merits of this novelty and the need for the buy of all players. This is certainly not the first sensitization, neither is it the first time the Corps is raising concern over the spate of speed related crashes?  Since 2012, the Corps has raised concern over increasing speed related crashes in the country especially against the backdrop of improved road network.
At a stakeholders forum which was put together in collaboration with Leo Du Plessis, an expert on vehicle speed limiting device from South Africa, the Corps Marshal re-called that   speed had been on the front burner of the World Health Organization (WHO) advocacy as a key risk factor in road traffic injuries, influencing both the risk of a crash and the severity of the of the injuries that result from crashes. Going forward, the WHO and the Global Road Safety Partnership, in a publication “Speed Management a Road Safety Manual for Decision Makers and Practitioner”, recommended that speed limits be introduced in every country as part of the global strategy to cut down road fatalities.
The WHO and the Global Road Safety Partnership in a publication, “Speed Management: A Road Safety Manual for Decision Makers and Practitioner”, have recommended that speed limits be introduced in every country as part of the global strategy to cut down road fatalities. Interestingly, the Corps Marshal also stated that the forum was convened because of the need to educate the public, drivers and fleet operators on the importance of speed limiting devices in vehicles as a means of achieving safer road usage. With the confession of the FRSC boss of the 2014 crash trend which is not different from the 2013 trend, which is partly due to improved road network, the corps’ greatest challenge in 2015 will be on how to tackle excessive speeding and achieve the strategic goal of cutting down fatalities by 30 per cent. The United Nation in its Pillar  4, stresses the need to develop comprehensive programmes to improve  road user behavior. These activities include the development and adoption of model road safety legislation and sustained or increase enforcement of road safety laws and standards. These efforts should be combined with public awareness and education to increase seat belt usage and helmet wearing, and to reduce drinking and driving, speeding and other risks. Other activities include reducing work-related road traffic injuries and promoting the establishment of graduated driver licensing programmes for novice drivers.
But what really is speed? Speed is defined as exceeding posted limit or driving too fast under stipulated or normal conditions. Speeding is deemed to have occurred when an individual is travelling above the accepted legal speed limit on any road. Speed limit varies between roads. For example, the maximum speed on the express way is 100km/hr for private cars and 90km/hr for taxis and buses. Trailer and tankers have a maximum speed of 60km/hr while tow vehicles, when towing are expected to do 45km/hr and 70/hr when not towing. The speed for a highway ranges from 80km/hr for private vehicles, 80km/hr for taxis and buses and 45km/hr for towing vehicle. In a buildup area, the speed could be between 20 and 30km/hr to 50km/hr. It is the obligation of the traffic law to signify any change in speed between routes. Speed limits are safety and prevent environmental pollution such as noise and smoke.
Excessive speed was critical in last year’s crashes. Speeding is often a deliberate and calculated behavior where the driver knows the risk but ignores the danger that might be involved. The Corp’s major challenge will be to enforce traffic laws on over speeding without any bias or exceptions, especially as it affects executive recklessness.
To be continued.