Reps Move To Halt Abuse Of Siren

House of Representatives has taken steps to stop the abuse of use of sirens on the country’s roads.

Therefore, the House urged the Federal Road Safety Commission and Nigerian Police to enforce the law on the use of sirens on Nigerian roads and clamp down on all those who are not entitled to use sirens for necessary sanctions to serve as deterrents.

The House upon adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Jesse Okey – Joe Onuakalusi (LP, Lagos) at plenary on Wednesday, mandated its Committees on Federal Road Safety Commission and Police Affairs to ensure compliance.

Moving his motion, Joe Onuakalusi explained that the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) is mandated by the Federal Road Safety Commission Act, 2007 to regulate the use of sirens, flashes, and beacon lights on vehicles belonging to the Armed Forces, Nigerian Police, and other paramilitary agencies.

He noted that Section 5 of the same Act, Regulation 154 of the National Road Traffic Regulations 2012, specifies those entitled to the use of sirens as; the president, the vice president, the Senate president, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chief Justice of the Federation, the Deputy Senate President, the Deputy Speaker, the State Governors, and the Deputy Governors.

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“Aware that in the case of emergencies, the Military, Nigerian Police, Paramilitary Agencies, Fire Services and Ambulances are allowed to drive on public roads using sirens.

“Concerned that the abuse of the siren often disrupts the free flow of traffic with devastating effects on the economy due to the loss of man hours at gridlocks, while the affected communities often suffer disruption to their businesses and exposure to attacks by hoodlums during long hours of gridlocks, as well as the noise pollution occasioned by the indiscriminate use of the siren.

“Worried about the disregard for road traffic rules and regulations and negative impact on the image of the country to prospective investors as Nigeria is portrayed as a lawless country,” the lawmaker said.

He observed that criminals always take undue advantage to unleash fear and terror on society, enhanced by the indiscriminate use of the siren while the abuse has negatively impacted appropriate security assessment as it is difficult to distinguish between the officials entitled to sirens and imposters.