NDLEA warns tricycle operators against drugs

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has urged commercial tricycle operators in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to desist from riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The public relations officer of the FCT NDLEA, Peter Adegbe, who made this known while delivering a speech at the annual general meeting of the Abuja Tricycle Riders Association (ATRA), said operating a machine under the influence of drugs was dangerous.

He said, “There is no way you can read road signs appropriately if you are under the influence of drugs. Most times what you see are not real. There are times a pothole will be near and you will think it is far ahead and you just drive into it.

“Or the sign says U-turn and you take it for a roundabout and before you know it, you will just hit another vehicle.”

He said there were stimulants that make drivers over confident thereby making them to violate speed limits and drive recklessly. He said instances of driving under the influence of drugs were rampant in the territory.

“It is very common in FCT, but I will not be able to put a number to it but it is very high. Some of the drugs are Indian hemp and recently we have been having prescription drugs being abused as well,” he said.

The ATRA chairman, Hassan Haske, also urged members to always obey traffic laws and shun the use of drugs.