FRSC Encourages Fleet Operators to Key into its Standardisation Scheme
The Federal Road Safety Corps has urged all fleet operators with at least five vehicles to be properly registered under its Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme (RTSSS).
Speaking at a stakeholder’s meeting held in Lagos recently, the FRSC Unit Commander RS2.18, Emma Fekoya, said this will provide proper regulation and “improve the safety of their operations.”
The RTSSS was officially launched on September 11, 2007 by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo and Fekoya said “it does not only give room for best service delivery but also enhances safety, fleet maintenance, longevity, sustainability of fleet operations and fuller lives for all Nigerians. All are therefore enjoined to take advantage of the scheme which is aimed at improving the nation’s road transport sub-sector of the economy.”
Under the scheme, fleet operators are expected to maintain records of drivers, vehicles, routes plied and crashes (noting the cause) and submit same to the agency on quarterly basis; failure to do that can lead to a fine of N50,000 and the operator being suspended until the required documents are available.
Fleet operators are also expected to organise periodic training, seminars and courses (defensive driving, speed limit, use of road, traffic signs, compliance with registration) for their members and drivers; noncompliance can lead to a fine of N200,000 and suspension of operations.
The scheme further compels fleet operators to allow FRSC certification teams into their premises for assessment or inspection and also requires that operators have an insurance policy, in addition to third part insurance which will cover victims of road traffic crash involving vehicles of the fleet operators.
“Stakeholders are advised to please avail FRSC team on a monthly basis the opportunity to come in and educate their staff on how to use the road as well as receive feedback from activities of the corps,” Fekoya said. “This in turn eliminates ignorance, attitudinal problems and conflicts experienced on the road.”