FRSC Urges Government To Bring Sharia Law For Traffic Offenders

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has requested the government to implement Sharia Law to prosecute traffic offenders.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday, the Bauchi State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Yusuf Abdullahi noted that the current law by the Nigerian government isn't tough enough and introducing Sharia law in traffic rules will help to bring discipline.

"Let us introduce Sharia law to tackle road crashes and people will wake up," Abdullahi said, Punch reported. "Our people are too careless, and the vehicle owners don't bother to check them."

He explained that if the government doesn't introduce Sharia law, many road users, especially in Bauchi state, will not think twice before doing whatever they are doing on the road.

The introduction of Sharia law will help to reduce bad on-road behavior, noting that most road accidents are happening because of negative attitudes by motorists and other road users. He further explained that no one wants to take a rest and instead speed up because they want to make money.

"But if the law is introduced, by the time you are involved in a crash, it would be investigated, the guilty and his family would also be responsible for anything that happens in that vehicle," he continued.

He went on to explain that even if the driver lost his life in a road accident and was found guilty, then the original owner of the vehicle will be held responsible for giving out the vehicle before doing "homework."

FRSC further shared that the "extant law is working, however, the extent to which it works is very important because, in countries where Sharia law is being implemented, it guides attitudinal conduct to a level that even relatives and friends guide their relations in terms of what to do or not do."

Abdullahi urged to put "stiffer penalties" on road traffic crash offenders so that it helps everyone on the road as people will drive more carefully to avoid crashes. He doubled down on the idea of introducing Sharia law, giving examples of other countries that are practicing it.

"Sharia law will be better," he said. "If you look at the countries where it is being practiced, it is everybody's business because your relations and friends know that it cannot be compromised."

FRSC is responsible for road safety in the country and they have been involved in creating awareness to ensure that accidents are reduced as Nigeria has the highest number of deaths from road traffic accidents.

According to the World Health Organization, Nigeria estimated more than 39,000 deaths from road accidents so far. There are several factors contributing to road accidents including speeding, reckless driving, poor road conditions, and vehicle overloading.