FRSC Raises Alarm Over ‘Mixed Loading,’ Warns Motorists Against Carrying Passengers With Animals

By Praise Chinecherem

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has warned motorists against the dangerous practice of transporting passengers alongside animals or goods in the same vehicle, describing the act as a serious safety risk capable of turning minor crashes into deadly tragedies.

The warning was issued on Wednesday by the Anambra State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, during the ongoing Operation Total Compliance across the state.

Represented by the Officer in Charge of Motor Vehicle Administration, DCC Gloria Ezeugwu, Asekhauno stressed that “mixed loading” is a form of overloading that endangers lives and violates road safety regulations.

“If you want to transport goods, don’t combine them with human beings. Such an act is a danger on its own and can be disastrous in the event of a crash,” she warned.

The Sector Commander disclosed that the ongoing enforcement exercise has so far led to the arrest of 121 drivers for committing 214 traffic offences across Anambra State.

According to her, the offences include overloading, failure to install or use speed limiting devices, driver’s licence violations, dangerous driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and attempts to bribe FRSC personnel.

A breakdown of the arrests showed that 27 motorists were apprehended for overloading, 34 for speed limiting device violations, 10 for driver’s licence offences, while four were arrested for attempting to corrupt marshals on duty.

She added that two motorists each were arrested for dangerous driving and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Asekhauno expressed concern over the growing trend of motorists deliberately disabling speed limiting devices to exceed approved speed limits.

“We’re also focusing on drivers operating without speed limiting devices. Even some who have the devices installed deactivate them to enable them speed excessively,” she said.

She noted that the nationwide three-day Operation Total Compliance, being conducted simultaneously across the FRSC’s 12 operational zones, is designed to strengthen enforcement while educating motorists on traffic regulations.

“We’re combining enforcement, mobile court prosecutions and public enlightenment to ensure road safety information reaches every community,” she explained.

The FRSC boss urged motorists and passengers to see the exercise as an opportunity to embrace responsible road use, especially ahead of the busy ember months.

“Road safety is everybody’s responsibility. Our roads will only become safer when drivers, passengers and the FRSC all play their respective roles,” she added.