The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Gombe State command, has on Monday warned against underage driving in the state.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe, Mr. Samson Kaura, the state’s sector commander, issued the warning.
Driving before the legal driving age is incorrect and actionable, according to Kaura.
Despite efforts to raise awareness among the public about the dangers of underage driving, he stated, “cases of underage driving are still being recorded in the state.”
He, however, stated that the command will enhance engagement with vital stakeholders across the state to reverse the trend.
He stated that the corps will not give up on its sensitization campaign and that accomplishments had been documented as a result of FRSC personnel’s ongoing patrol and checks in cooperation with other sister agencies.
“Children have no business with driving, and that is why we keep admonishing parents against giving the children cars to drive.
“Even owners of motorcycles and “kekeNapep” (tricycles) should refrain from lending their vehicles to minors; if we catch someone, there will be no justification.”
“Henceforth, any underage driver caught within the state will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“We must discourage underage drivers in the state or stop any of our teenagers from driving without a driver’s license; we have deployed our personnel to also monitor such offenders,” he stated.
Driving involves a lot of decision-making, he says, adding that “children may not be mature enough to make such decisions that would guarantee their safety on the road.”
He accordingly called to parents, as well as motorbike and tricycle owners, to avoid from lending their vehicles to youngsters or anyone without a driver’s licence.
