The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Gombe State, says it has recorded 377 auto and motorcycle accidents between January and December 2022.
FRSC Sector Commander, Mr Felix Theman said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Corps Headquarters, Lafiyawo community in Akko Local Government Area of the state.
READ ALSO: FRSC decorates 80 promoted officers
He said statistics indicated that motorcycle constituted greater number of the 377 recorded crashes involving underage riders, particularly in Gombe metropolis.
According to Theman, underage riding of motorbike is illegal, adding, “we have taken measures to tackle that challenge”.
The Sector Commander said that personnel of the Corps had stepped up enforcement to tackle underage motorcycle riding and ensure safety on the road.
“We have instances where very young boys that are not up to the legal age of age 18, parents allowing them to ride recklessly on the road causing unnecessary crashes particularly within the township.
“We increased our response to road traffic offences by enforcing mobile courts sitting in collaboration with the state judiciary.
“Through the sitting, we made high number of arrest particularly during the Operation Zero between December 2022 and January 2023 to serve as deterrent.
“For underage, we have embarked on sensitisation targeting parents and those group of people to tell them the danger of having children riding motorcycles and tricycles.”
Theman said that arrests were being made to tackle spate of underage motorbike riding in the state.
He, therefore, warned parents and guardians to monitor their wards against committing such road traffic offences which could lead to crashes.
