Nigeria: FRSC to Clamp Down On Right-Hand Vehicles
9 March 2009

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     The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has declared its intention of clamping down on right-hand vehicles forthwith, saying their presence on our roads, 37 years after the nation changed its traffic system is no longer acceptable.In a release signed by Ijeoma Nwachi, the Lagos State Sector Public Education Officer, the Lagos State Sector Commander, Mr. Jonas Agwu said the commission is "alarmed by the resurgence of right hand drive vehicles on Lagos roads," and has thus begun "clamping down on such vehicles."

According to the release, "so far, six has been impounded in line with the provisions of the National Road Traffic Regulation (2004) which states that "no Motor Vehicle shall be registered or driven on any Public Road if the steering apparatus of the motor vehicle is fitted on the right-hand side of the vehicle."

Agwu affirmed "that the usage of such illegal vehicles will no-longer be tolerated forthwith, as this is against safety standard and the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2004 especially after 37 years of its official prohibition as provided in the right hand steering drive change over Act of 1972."

He noted that such vehicles constitute potential cause of road traffic accident in the country as the driver position and steering apparatus of such vehicles do not align with the requirements for maximum safety of other motorists using left hand steering vehicles as permitted under Nigerian laws.

He further emphasized that those engaged in importing such vehicle with the intention of converting them should have a rethink as such importation is illegal while the conversion is risky and poses a threat to other motorists

The FRSC commander also therefore called on other government agencies involved in traffic management to desist from registering such vehicles and enjoins all road users to support and cooperate with the Command in its determination to make Lagos roads safer by abiding by road traffic rules and regulation, as violators of the law will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

I've wondered what the big deal is, as per RHD cars in Nigeria.

As far as I'm concerned, RHD cars are a lot safer than badly converted LHD's.

Bearing in mind that in the UK, Europe and the US, drive configurations that are alien to the home country are allowed.