By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ondo State has declared its resolve to impound articulated vehicles transporting both animals and passengers, describing the practice as dangerous and unacceptable.

The Sector Commander, Dr Samuel Ibitoye, made this known in Akure after a meeting with members of the Ondo State House of Assembly.

He stressed that all irregularities associated with articulated vehicles must be addressed to improve road safety in the state.

He noted that the command had intensified advocacy and enforcement measures against reckless operations by articulated vehicle drivers, warning that violators would not go unpunished.

“Enforcement is ongoing to curb ‘mixed loading’, which involves transporting humans alongside goods or animals in the same vehicle,” he stated.

“We are not relenting; we are arresting and impounding vehicles involved in this practice while engaging stakeholders to caution drivers against it.”

Dr Ibitoye lamented that many accidents involving articulated vehicles often reveal a shocking number of illegal passengers.

“You may assume only the driver and a motor boy are in the vehicle, but when an accident occurs, you find 10, 15, or even 20 people cramped inside, along with cows and other animals,” he said.

He vowed that the command would sustain both advocacy and enforcement efforts, adding that any vehicle caught violating the regulation would be impounded and the offenders sanctioned accordingly.

The sector commander explained that his visit to the Assembly complex was to seek legislative support from the Speaker, Chief Olamide Oladiji, and other lawmakers in strengthening road safety measures.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility, and we must all play our part in making our roads safer and more orderly,” he stated.

Ibitoye also urged road users to exercise patience while driving and to obey traffic regulations to avoid unnecessary crashes.

“I advise motorists to avoid overspeeding, overloading, and reckless driving. Proper planning of journeys and adherence to traffic rules are key to reducing road crashes,” he added.

In his response, Speaker Olamide Oladiji reaffirmed the House’s commitment to supporting FRSC in its efforts to reduce road accidents in the state.

He commended the Commission for its proactive measures and called for increased advocacy and public awareness to promote safer road usage.