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Oyo State Government on Monday said commercial motor drivers that carries more than one passenger on the front seat, as well as motorcyclists that carries more than one passenger would henceforth be arrested and prosecuted for violation of Oyo State Road Traffic Law 2019.
This Chairman, Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority (OYRTMA), Dr. Akin Fagbemi disclosed this in Ibadan while speaking with newsmen.
Fagbemi said the number of accidents attributed to overloading has risen in recent times, adding that all motorists and motorcycle riders must comply with the State Road Traffic Law 2019, which he said compelled motorists not to carry more than a passenger at the front, while commercial motorcyclists also cannot carry more than one passenger with the compulsory use of a crash helmet.
“Owing to the significant number of motorcycle-related road crashes recorded in the state in the last two quarters of the year, it has become imperative and expedient to fully and strictly implement the portion of the State Road Traffic Law 2019, which clearly stipulates that all motorists and motorcycles operating within the state should not at any point in time carry more than one passenger and must as well utilize the crash helmet.
“In the best interest of citizens of Oyo State, particularly as the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration is committed to the security of lives and properties of the people, the governor has directed, through OYRTMA that all commercial motorists and motorcycles must adhere strictly to the traffic law on the number of passengers to load, so as to avoid accident,”he said.
Fagbemi reiterated the readiness of the present administration in the state to legally deal with anyone caught violating the road traffic law.