By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) has intensified its crackdown on motorists driving against traffic, especially tipper drivers, following the death of a pedestrian who was knocked down by a hit-and-run tipper driver reportedly driving one-way in the state.
The Agency, which disclosed this in separate statements issued to newsmen by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ARTMA, Engr. Emeka Konti-Okonkwo, said the latest incident further points to the dangers associated with one-way driving and the urgent need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations across the state.
According to him, the tragic incident, which is coming just few days after the agency launched the “See It, Video It and Earn” initiative , occurred on July 25 when the driver of a tipper, while driving against traffic, allegedly knocked down a young man who had left home in pursuit of his daily livelihood.
The agency lamented that the victim, described as a father, a brother and a promising young man, lost his life because a motorist chose to violate traffic regulations instead of driving a short distance to make a lawful turn.
The ARTMA Boss also noted that the suspect fled the scene immediately after the incident. However, operatives of the agency eventually tracked and intercepted the vehicle at Upper Iweka in Onitsha, after which the vehicle was impounded by the agency, as was corroborated by video accompanying the press statement.
Engr. Konti-Okonkwo also noted that the matter had been handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.
He emphasized that one-way driving remains one of the leading causes of avoidable road crashes in the state and regretted that, despite sustained awareness campaigns, repeated warnings and continuous enforcement efforts, some motorists, especially heavy duty vehicles, still persist in such a dangerous practice.
The ARTMA MD further recalled that its officers are often subjected to insults, intimidation and blackmail while enforcing the law, especially when they refuse to yield to pressure from influential individuals seeking leniency for offenders.
According to him, the latest tragedy has reinforced its determination to sustain the campaign against one-way driving until the menace is completely eradicated from roads across the state.
In a follow-up statement issued on July 29, the agency also expressed concern over what it described as the increasing rate of traffic violations involving tipper drivers, many of whom, it said, deliberately drive against traffic, use the wrong carriageways and even damage public infrastructure by crossing road medians and drainage channels.
Engr. Konti-Okonkwọ disclosed that it had formally written to the various tipper drivers’ unions and their chairmen across the state, urging them to sensitise their members and ensure strict compliance with traffic regulations.
According to him, the recent fatal incident stand out as another proof that driving against traffic is not merely a traffic offence but a dangerous and potentially deadly act capable of destroying lives and families.
ARTMA also reiterated that it had already strengthened its enforcement mechanisms, warning that any motorist caught driving one-way would face the full weight of the law, regardless of the type of vehicle involved.
The agency further cited another recent incident involving a tipper driver who was captured in a video driving against traffic at high speed. It explained that the footage was submitted by a concerned resident under its recently introduced “See It, Video It and Earn” initiative, which rewards members of the public with a minimum of ₦20,000 for verified reports of traffic violations.
According to ARTMA, the tipper driver was subsequently tracked down by its operatives, while the vehicle was impounded. This was also corroborated by a video showing the impounded vehicle at the ARTMA office.
The agency reiterated its appeal to residents to continue supporting ongoing efforts aimed at making roads in the state safer by promptly reporting traffic offenders, while also urging motorists to place greater value on human life by obeying traffic regulations at all times.
ARTMA maintained that no journey is worth the loss of human life and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that those who endanger the lives of innocent road users are held accountable for their actions.
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