FRSC HARPS ON VEHICLE MAINTENANCE

The Federal Road Safety Corps’ Public Education Officer, Corps Commander Imoh Etuk has reminded all motorists and other road users to be cautious on the roads as the rainy season has set in. This is coming on the heels of strategic plans initiated by the Corps to ensure sanity on the highways during the season even as the Corps also harps on the need for strict compliance with traffic rules and regulations among road users especially during this period.
According to him, the FRSC wishes to reiterate its commitment towards safer road use during this period and warns the Nigerian motoring public on the need to comply with all traffic rules and regulations as they ensure proper maintenance of their vehicles. It is important that drivers fix the vehicle wiper blades, head and tail lights, brakes and avoid the use of worn-out tyres to enhance safety as they ply the roads when it is raining.
Etuk also expressed the Corps’ concern over the attitude of many drivers in the country on tyre care and maintenance, adding that most Nigerian drivers have poor maintenance culture. He opined that drivers should have correct tyre pressures as recommended by vehicle/tyre manufacturers, advising them to avoid under or over inflation of tyres.
In the same vein, the FRSC recalls that every tyre has a life span of four years, noting that the week and year of manufacture are always inscribed as codes. He also interpreted the code thus: 0612 (meaning, the tyre was made in the sixth week of the year 2012). The production date code is in four digits. The first two digits indicate the week of the year it was produced. The last two digits refer to the year it was produced.
The Corps also advised motorists to ensure regular maintenance of their vehicles and desist from the use of worn-out tyres and tokumbo tyres, in view of inherent traffic hazards. It stated that under rainy condition, the grip of worn-out tyres is often seriously affected, adding that there is danger of the car skidding and veering off the road or not coming to halt within the safe distance after application of brakes. Motorists should also note that visibility might be affected when the rain is heavy and they are advised to reduce speed and stop when it is obviously unsafe to continue driving.
It also said that it is pertinent to routinely check the headlights, brake lights, turn signals and tail lights before embarking on a trip. The wind shield wiper and blades should also be checked for proper functioning.
The Federal Road Safety Corps also harped on headlights and advised motorists to turn their headlights on along with their wipers. The lights should be on during the day and at night, whenever rain starts dropping. Motorists are also advised to reduce their speed during this time and apply the common sense speed limit.

CC. Imoh Etuk
Corps Commander
Corps Public Education Officer