By Kazeem Akande/Augusta Uchediunor
Lagos – The Lagos State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Hyginus Omeje, on Wednesday warned motorists against using their mobile phones while driving, saying that it attracts six months imprisonment when caught.
Omeje gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He said that distracted driving was a serious issue in the society that needed urgent actions, adding that the FRSC would not relent in its efforts to prevent accidents on Nigerian roads.
“The issue of making calls or answering calls while driving are distractions and they have become serious issues in our society nowadays.
“If you are apprehended, the Magistrate has the right to fine you, at the same time send you to six months imprisonment or any of the options available, depending on his/her state of mind.
“You could be prosecuted in any of the mobile courts, but if it is just an issue of giving you a ticket, it attracts an outright payment of N4, 000,’’ he said.
According to him, the best thing to do when your phone rings while driving is to look for a very safe place to park and make a phone call or receive the call, as the case may be.
Omeje said that driving required 100 per cent concentration, adding that 99 per cent concentration was not good enough.
“Driving requires 100 per cent concentration, 99 per cent is not good enough and using the hands-free device is also not good.
“In driving, you only look with your eyes, but you see with your mind, so, when you are making calls, the mind is gone, you are only looking but not seeing anything,’’ he said.
Omeje said that the issue of getting the statistics of crashes caused by distracted driving was difficult.
NAN reports that FRSC Enabling Act, 2007, Section 10 (4), prohibits the use of phones while driving, for obvious reasons. (NAN)