Business Post Contributor
By Ashemiriogwa Emmanuel
It is no news that middle lane hogging is a big problem on the Nigerian highways as it has been one of the major reasons for gridlocks and fiddling motor clashes on roads.
Hence, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the agency with the statutory responsibilities for road safety administration in the country, has taken to its social media platform to enlighten drivers on how to change lanes and merge while driving in line with the road safety rules.
The agency, on Monday, published a five-step guide on what vehicle operators and the driving public should rightly do when changing lanes and merging while driving in order not to violate the road safety rules.
Step 1: Turn on your turn signal.
Turn signals are the only way you can let other drivers know that you will be changing lanes. Using your blinker to signal your intent to change lanes, merge into traffic, and even turn into a parking spot can help keep you safe.
Step 2: Check your rear-view and side mirrors.
After activating your blinker, take a look into your rear-view and side mirror to ensure you have enough space to make the lane change. If there’s a car in the lane you are merging into, wait until you can see the entire vehicle (wheels included) and a few feet of pavement in front of it in your rear-view mirror.
At this point, if the other car is going at or below the same speed as you are, you should have enough room to change lanes.
It’s essential to keep an eye on the speed of the car you are trying to merge ahead of — if they are accelerating, you are better off letting them pass you before changing lanes (as the space for your car is quickly closing)
Step 3: Look over your shoulder to check your blind spot
Even after checking your mirrors, there’s a spot behind the car that you cannot see – and that spot could easily contain a car or motorcycle! Immediately after checking your mirrors, look over your right shoulder to ensure you do not miss anything.
Always remember when checking your mirrors and blind spot that it is easy to miss smaller objects, like cyclists, so keep your eyes peeled. Additionally, you can better avoid getting hit by not lingering in other drivers’ blind spots.
Step 4: Change lanes!
Once you have determined that it is safe to change lanes, it is time to go for it! Maintain your speed and glide into the lane smoothly.
Step 5: Turn your turn signal off.
Do not be that person driving down the highway with your turn signal blinking. As soon as you are in your desired lane, turn off your blinker.
How to Verify Your Number Plate
The FRSC also gave direction on how car owners across the country could determine the authenticity of their car number plate.
In the post published on its social media platform, it directed concerned persons to visit https://nvis.frsc.gov.ng/VehicleManagement/VerifyPlateNo where they will enter their vehicle’s number plate.
After clicking the “verify” button in the space provided, information on the verification of the car will be displayed below the button.
It noted that the verification is only applicable to the number plates with this format ABC123AB, not AB123 ABC.
In the notice, the agency also noted that it has limited the information provided to only care names and dates of registration to prevent the general public from seeing the full details of the registration.
