The lamination of vehicle number plates by motorists is a traffic offence, Ogochukwu Ugboma, a Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Commission, has said.
Ugboma made the statement in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria in Minna, Niger State on Monday, adding that plastic lamination made it difficult to identify the markings on the plate.
“It is a traffic offence for an unauthorised person to cover the number plate of his vehicle,” he said.
Ugboma said that anyone covering his number plate without authorisation would be made to face the wrath of the law.
“It is only some individuals and organisations that are allowed to cover their number plates because of security reason,” he said.
He explained that the number plate of every vehicle on the road was supposed to be identified easily from a distance.
“The security challenges we are having now is part of the reason why number plates should not be covered,” he said.
The sector commander warned vehicle owners, especially commercial vehicles, to desist from the act.
He said that anyone found culpable would prosecute.
He advised motorists to always use their seat-belts while on the road.
“Usage of the seat-belt has reduced road traffic crashes across the country by 50 per cent,” Ugboma said.