Enugu- The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said it would henceforth enforce the rule that motorists should carry children under 12 years only at the back seats of their vehicles.
The Sector Commander of the commission in Enugu state, Mr David Mendie, stated this at the thanksgiving service to mark the end of FRSC Child Safety Week at the Living Faith Church, Enugu, on Sunday.
Mendie said that enforcement of the regulation had become necessary in order to reduce high infant mortality rate through road accidents.
He warned that any motorist found violating the children road safety laws in the state would be prosecuted.
“Children are heritage from God and we must protect them. If your child is below 12 years, you must carry him or her at the back seat of your vehicle.
“If he or she is above 12 years, he can stay in front of the vehicle with seat belt fastened.
“Our presidents and pastors were once children and if they were not protected, maybe we would not have known them by now.
“Motorists must also obey zebra and pedestrian crossing rules to avoid accidents,’’ he said.
The commander called on parents to ensure adequate road safety of their children as a way of protecting their God-given assets and inheritance.
He explained that the command decided to end the week-long activities in the church because we are peculiar people, God’s people and we must behave as same, both inside and outside the Church.
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He reiterated that the commission would on June 1 commence the enforcement of speed limits with commercial vehicles to improve road safety in the state.
He said that a declaration for road safety for children had been drafted and signed by over 70 stakeholders in the state.
In a sermon, the Pastor of the Church, Rev. Theophilus Makanjuola, called on members to obey traffic rules in order to enjoy favour, divine direction and blessings from God.
Makanjoula appealed to members of the church to support FRSC in performing their duties.
Some parents in the church who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) commended FRSC for organising the child road safety programme.
Mr Nduka Ibezie, said that the programme would help to save the lives of many children in the country.
Mrs Linda Agbazue condemned the habit of parents who carry their babies on front seat of their vehicles and appealed to them to obey the declaration to protect their children from untimely deaths.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that week-long Child Safety Week commenced in Enugu on Monday with road shows. (NAN)