The deadline for the Federal Road Safety Commission to commence the enforcement
of the speed limiting devise for every vehicle in Nigeria has began on February
1, 2017, beginning first with the commercial vehicles.
Speed Limiting Devices are fixed mechanically or electrically to the
vehicle engine management functions. It relies on data received from sensors
that supply “road speed” information to the primary board - thereby signaling
the requirement to restrict ‘specific’ engine management performance.
“You cannot exceed the pre-set speed limit of your car in case of emergency;
you can only use defensive driving techniques”, answered FRSC on the FAQ in the
Commissions Website.
When fully
operational, below will be the speed limits (highest speed) of vehicles in
Nigeria;
Commercial
Vehicles – 90km/hr
Truck/Lorry
– 60km/hr
Private vehicles
– 100km/hr
Although the enforcement has began, and most of the commercial vehicles
caught are still being shown mercy, at the discretion of the officers on duty;
many commercial vehicle owners and the general vehicle owners across the
country are crying out that introduction of the devise would bring more
economic hardship to them rather than the road accident reduction it intends to
curtail.
The FRSC boss, Boboye Oyeyemi in a recent chat, appreciated the National
Assembly for giving the initiative the necessary supports. He was satisfied
that the implementation would greatly reduce road crashes on Nigeria roads by
65%.
The price of this devise is being rumoured to be from N40,000 and thereabout,
and this price depends on market forces and the accredited marketer/technician
who will install the devise on your vehicle.
However, commercial vehicle owners are appreciating the development, but
complaining that the initiative is insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.
One Commercial driver simply identified as Great corroborated the views
of his colleagues, saying,” five thousand naira is okay for the device but
forty thousand naira is too much, especially at this time. We can’t afford it.
I have maintenance of my vehicle and family to take care of. If they insist,
many of us will park our vehicles. That forty thousand naira should be for
flashy cars not commercial drivers.”
Mr. Godwin, who shuttles Warri and Port Harcourt said, “if they force us
to install the device, we too will increase the price for the commuters, it is
as if this government is just looking for a way to kill us. That was how they
forced us to buy new plate numbers with Nigeria map inside, two years ago, they
are just making money from our head because nobody to fight for the common man”.
The Chaiman of Uvwie Central Motor Park NURTW, Comrade Francis Arhiyo also
bared his mind on the development during a recent chat the DAILY Post.
Arhiyo stated that the NURTW and Commercial drivers are not comfortable
with the development and cannot afford the device at an exorbitant rate of
forty thousand naira due to the harsh economic condition of the country.
Arhiyo noted that the commercial drivers were ready to comply with the
FRSC directives as ” It’s a welcome development” but warned that the commercial
drivers should not be coerced into purchasing the device.
” You cannot tell a driver who ply the road from here to Benin, Sapele,
Ore to come and buy speed limit device of forty something thousand naira. It is
not done. If they are talking about five, ten thousand naira, I think it will
be welcomed. But for that amount, I think it is on the high side for my drivers
to comply with. They should bring it down so that it will be convenient for
them to purchase.
” As at the day before yesterday, we had a complaint from one of my
drivers that on their way to Ore, FRSC blocked the road asking for this speed
limit device and the amount is on the high side. They should bring it down so
that it will be convenient for them to purchase.”
Arhiyo stated that no
commercial vehicle has been impounded by the FRSC yet, just as he claimed that
the private motor parks have not also complied with the directives.
