Passengers Are Liable For Prosecution If They Distract Drivers - NRSC

Passengers who harass and distract drivers are liable for prosecution. This is according to Elvis Gbesemete, Manager, Research Monitoring and Evaluation of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC). He explained that any action which can distract a driver is an offence punishable by law should the driver report to any police personnel. �If you distract a driver, you are equally liable for prosecution. If you do something which can distract the driver, the law permits the driver to report you and with just little corroboration from the passengers�,� he said. Speaking on Thursday�s edition of the Big Bite Show on Xfm 95.1, Mr. Gbesemete explained that acts such as shouting, beating or any action that could distract a driver mentally or physically is �enough for the driver to report� the incident . He added that a testimony by one or two passengers to that effect was enough for the culprit to be �taken on� by the police. Mr. Gbesemete stressed that it was wrong for a passenger to �lord� over a driver and in the process distract him since it could lead to dire consequences. He admonished passengers to be careful as well as gentle to drivers since it was important for drivers to have full concentration while on the road. Mr. Gbesemete encouraged passengers to report any passenger who misconducts himself, especially one that could distract the driver and assured them that police personnel were ready to take such culprits on.