Frsc insight february 2014 edition final (2)

FRSC INSIGHT FEBRUARY, 2014

FRSC

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Insi ht A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY COMMISSION

Electric Cars

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SPEED LIMITING DEVICE: DEFINED STANDARDS

www.frscinsight.com FEBRUARY, 2014

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From the Editor-In-Chief Have you ever wondered why in creating the universe, God created the world in a circular shape? Of all available shapes, why would God choose to crate this beautiful world we live in an almost circular shape?

The shape ‘’circle’’ may perhaps be special to God. Look at the Sun and Moon, they look circular in shape. The whirlwind, in motion, equally forms a circular shape. Even the eggs that provide nutrition especially to children are shaped in circle.

As astonishing in shape as these creations of God are, man in designing the modern car is now designing them in aerodynamic shape.

Modern aerodynamic cars may though not exactly be circular in shape, however it is projected that future cars may very soon be shaped exactly the way God created this world.

Aerodynamics involve how the movement of air impairs the cruise of an object like automobiles or aircrafts. Aircraft designers are particular about the challenges associated with air compressibility as aircrafts speed increases to near or greater than the speed of sound. This way the differences in air flows usually lead to glitches involving aircraft control, increased drag and even structural designs caused by aero elastic flutter.

Still talking about Cars, the fad today amongst automobile designers includes the production of electric automobiles. This month, FRSC Insight examines the ten top global electric vehicles .You will also read about vehicle inspection and certification programme for road worthiness.

This month, the Director General of the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) shared his thoughts on the speed limiting devise. This is germane against the exigent need by the Federal Road Safety Corps to prevent speed induced crashes, which in 2013 accounted for almost half of all the road crashes that occurred

throughout Nigeria.

By the way, this February, specifically on 18th, the Federal Road Safety Corps marked twenty six years of meritorious service to the Nigerian motoring public. I think the eminence of the FRSC would be better appreciated, if from hindsight we realize that virtually all the agencies established same time with the FRSC in 1988 have gone extinct. Also if there were no FRSC, the road crash situation perhaps would have grown worse than how the World Health Organization described Nigeria in the 1980’s as ‘’the worst country in the world, only after Ethiopia to drive a motor vehicle’’. We therefore join several millions of appreciative Nigerians who were once victims of road crashes rescued by the Corps, in wishing the FRSC greater zeal in providing safety to all road users.

Sicknesses affecting the liver are worryingly on the increase. We therefore in this edition make an exposé into various types of fruits that can help you combat liver cirrhosis.

All the regular stores can also be read, as well as all previous editions of FRSC Insight on www.frscinsight.com Corps Commander Clement O. Oladele Editor – In – Chief

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Editorial Crew

Corps Marshal/Chief Executive Publisher

(CC) Oladele OC Editor窶的n-Chief

(ARC) Alegieuno KD

Content

Osita Chidoka OFR

Pg 15: SPEED LIMITING DEVICE: DEFINED STANDARDS Pg 22: Fruits that can help improve your liver

Editor

MEMBERS

FRSC Insight

(ACC) Ogunnupebi VO (CRC) Obagbemiro AR (DRC) Nwokolo CB (DRC) OI IKOKU OI (ARC) Enakireru DO

Pg 24: Vehicle Inspection and Certification Programme for Road Worthiness Pg 26: Firefly: a lesson for the scientist

A monthly publication of the Planning Advisory Unit (PAU) designed to broaden the horizon of FRSC staff on wide range of issues.

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Electric Cars:

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s fuel cost continue to sour digging its large hands into the finances of vehicle users, many are no doubt seeking alternative means to ensuring that their vehicles move on the road without spending much to make it happen. Perhaps the gradual introduction of electric car by vehicle manufacturers might just be the long awaited messiah. Today, Nearly every auto manufacturer is planning to build electric (EV) and plug-in hybridelectric (PHEV) cars. It is expected that by 2020 global all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric car penetration is expected to be 2-5% of global auto sales primarily in Europe and Asia. Here are top ten electric (emission-free) cars by different car manufacturers

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he BMW i3 is a game-changer. Not because it’s got amazing battery technology that can take it nearly 120 miles on one charge, but because it looks and drives great.

BMW did six years of research, monitoring the driving habits of 1,000 people over 20MILLION miles, to develop the incredible car that the i3 is today. With futuristic styling both inside and out, and a very BMW-like 0-60mph in just 7 seconds makes this a serious competitor not just to other electric cars, but to its gas-powered rivals too. At $41,350, they’re pricey, but expect to see these flooding middle class markets around the world soon.

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illed as the world’s first premium electric sedan, the Model S does 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds and with a top speed of 193 km/h. It also outdoes all other electric cars when it comes to driving range. There are three battery options: the 60kWh version can power the car for 209km while the 85kWh and performance versions increase that to an incredible 483miles. These cars aren’t cheap, though, starting at $58,570 (before a federal tax credit of $7,500 is deducted). But they’re obviously good value for money. In Norway demand is so high and supply so limited that second hand ones have been changing hands for more than people can buy them for new. The Model S follows in the footsteps of the electric Tesla Roadster sports car, and precedes the firm’s Model X electric SUV.

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he Nissan Leaf is the model that blazed the trail when it came to the development of electric cars. Although once regarded as far too expensive and impractical, the latest version has come down in price and has a bigger boot and increased range. It cover 200km on a single charge, this is due to lighter bodywork and improved batteries, with a top speed of 145/h. Nissan were able to further reduce the cost by removing some of the unnecessary luxuries from the interior, but still provide motorists with all the essentials. You can buy a Nissan Leaf for just $21,300.

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supercar that does 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds and is totally electric. The SLS AMG Electric Drive has four electric motors powered by a liquid-cooled 400 V lithium-ion battery, it can produce 1,000Nm of torque with a maximum output of 751hp and a range of 155miles. It really doesn’t get better than this. Without doubt the most desirable of all the electric cars on this list, but there’s one slight snag: it’s totally out of reach for most people as the SLS AMG Electric Drive costs nearly $550,000.

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ood looks and an enjoyable ride helped the Chevrolet Spark EV gain good reviews when it first appeared on the market in July 2013. In the United States, the Chevrolet Spark is currently only being sold in Oregon and California, the two states currently most friendly towards electric cars. But it could be rolled out to other areas in the near future, and General Motors also want to sell it in Canada, South Korea and parts of Europe. Price-wise the Spark starts at $19,185 ($26,685 before a $7,500 federal tax credit is deducted). It has a total range of 132 miles once fully charged, and can be fast-charged to 80 per cent in just 20 minutes.

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he Ford Focus EV has a starting price of $35,200, meaning it’s a realistic rival to most normal cars on the road. It’s the most fuel-efficient compact class car in the US, with a top speed of 135/h and estimated range of 122km on a single charge. To help with efficiency the Ford Focus EV has regenerative brakes, which capture more than 90 per cent of the energy usually lost through braking due to friction. The interior of the car is also environmentally friendly, with the seat fabric being made from 100 per cent recycled material, while the padding is made out of foam sourced from sustainable plant seed oils.

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he electric version of the Honda Fit, also known as the Honda Jazz, appears to be a testing bed for the Japanese automobile giant’s entry into the electric cars market.

Just 1,100 of the cars were scheduled to be produced during the first three years after its 2013 release. Like the Chevrolet Spark, it was initially only launched in California and Oregon, but sales were later extended to Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Long Island and Connecticut. It has a base price of $37,415, though is currently only available on a leasing scheme costing around $259 a month over three years with unlimited mileage. It does the equivalent of 118mpg with a range of around 122km on a single charge.

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itsubishi i MiEV is one of the most affordable electric cars in the market. It has a base price of $29,125 before the reduction of any applicable federal tax credit and incentives, with a range of 161km when fully charged. The i MiEV (its name stands for Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle) was one of the first completely electric cars to hit the market when it was launched in 2009. Called the Citroen C-Zero and Peugeot iOn in Europe, it was the first electric car to sell more than 10,000 units. It was overtaken as the most popular electric car by the Nissan Leaf shortly after setting that benchmark in in February 2011.

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he Smart Electric Drive is entirely designed for city driving. It’s small (easy to park), easy to handle (it weighs just 2,000lbs and has a 28.7ft turning circle) and is still nippy for its size (78mph top speed). It also has a range of 122km when driving in urban areas, which more than meets the average daily needs of city-dwellers. What’s more, it’s very affordable. One can be had for as little as $12,490 if you take part in their Battery Assurance Plus leasing scheme and take advantage of federal tax offers and incentives.

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hether you can call the Renault Twizy a car is debatable. Renault Twizy is extremely cheap! The Twizy has a starting price of around $11,000, with a battery rental fee of $61 per month, making it the least expensive electric car in the world today. But despite the low price tag, it still comes with an airbag for the driver and can cover up to 97km in the city on a single charge.

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SPEED LIMITING DEVICE:

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria was established by CAP S9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The organisation is responsible for elaboration of standards for products and services and ensuring compliance with the Federal Government of Nigeria Policies for Standards, DR JOSEPH IKEMEFUNA ODUMODU(MFR) Metrology and Quality Assurance . STANDARDS ORGANISATION OF NIGERIA

DEFINED STANDARDS

SON is a member of International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC), Codex Aliment Arius Commission (Codex) and the African Regional Organization for Standardization (ARSO) , all these is to further Nigeria’s interest in the field of Standardization.

SON partners with other government agencies involved in regulatory activities to continually ensure provision of quality goods and services to Nigerians.

system or body meets specified requirements Regulations – official rules made by a government or some other authority, they may be derived and/or made reference from standards and codes Types of Standards

Basic Standard – a standard containing general provisions for one particular field or having wide coverage, for example, standard on measurement of lengths (Dimension) Basic Definitions of Terms Testing Standard – a standard conStandardization – process of formulat- cerned exclusively with test methods. ing and applying rules for orderly approach to a specific activity for the benefit of all Terminology Standard – a standard conconcerned taking into account the func- cerned exclusively with terms usualtional conditions and safety requirements. ly accompanied by their definitions and sometimes with explanatory notes, ilStandards - documented agreements con- lustrations, and examples, among others. taining technical specifications or other pre- cise criteria to be used consistently as rules, Code of Practice – a document describing recguidelines, or definitions of characteris- ommended practices for the design, manufactics, to ensure that materials, products, pro- turing, setting up, maintenance or utilization of cesses and services are fit for their purpose. equipment, installations, structures or products Conformity assessment is the name given to Safety Standard – a standard concerned with the processes that are used to demonstrate that a safety of people and goods considering nonproduct (tangible) or a service or a management technical factors such as human behavior.

FRSC INSIGHT FEBRUARY , 2014 16 Interface Standard – a standard specifying requirements concerned with the compatibility of products or systems at their points of contact.

Product Standard – a standard specifying some or all of the requirements to be met by a product to confer it the minimum quality requirements expected of it.

oriented economies, mandatory standards tend to operate in centrally controlled economies.

Statutory Standards are consensus – based and documented stakeholders expectations founded on consolidated science, technology and experience for the attainment of sustainable economic growth. Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), African Regional Standardization Organization (ARSO), are examples of national, regional and international standardization bodies that publish statutory standards.

Conditions for trade increase include the removal of technical barriers to trade and the raising of product quality to an international level. This is the reason why some countries have mandatory standards for all exports.

Furthermore, standards are made mandatory in order to secure the safety and health of the population and also to protect the environment. Other protective aspects of standards are, for example;

Protection of the consumers from being offered low quality products in situations where the economy does not allow for competition; Protection of a country’s export trade; Protection of the health and safety of the population, and nowadays normally protection of the environment.

Whether standards should be mandatory or voluntary depends on the following factors:

the character of the standard; the status of the National Standard Body (a In abroad sense, we have company standards private or governmental body); and and statutory standards; the country’s economy and political system.

Statutory standards are employed by thirdparty certification bodies such as SON for conformity assessment of either product, service or environmental, for instance. In the interest of national economy it is imperative for businesses to effectively implement satisfaction factors specified in statutory standards.

Company standards are peculiar to owner companies for their internal operations. They Examples of Standardization Around Us are not substitutes for statutory standards, as they • The metre is the standard of measurement. cannot be employed for third party certification. • Money is a standard of exchange.

• Words are standards of communications.

Voluntary standards are developed by vari- • Traffic lights are safety standards. ous groups/individuals, organizations and/ • Octane numbers of gasoline are quality or associations usually involved with the acstandards. tivities or materials being standardized, since • ‘No more than 1% shrinkage’ is a perforthey benefit most from their creation. Volmance standard. untary standards can be referenced in regulations or cited in contracts at which point Why Standards Matter they become mandatory or legally binding. Standards make an enormous and positive Governments also create mandatory stand- contribution to most aspects of our lives. ards, for example regulations relating to • Standards ensure desirable characteristics health, safety or environmental concerns. of products and services such as quality, While voluntary standards prevail in market environmental friendliness, safety, reli-

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ability, efficiency and interchangeability • For innovators of new technologies, In- and at an economical cost. ternational Standards on aspects like ter• When products and services meet our exminology, compatibility and safety speed pectations, we tend to take this for granted up the dissemination of innovations and and be unaware of the role of standards. their development into manufacturable However, when standards are absent, we and marketable products. soon notice. We soon care when products • For customers, the worldwide compatibilturn out to be of poor quality, do not fit, ity of technology which is achieved when are incompatible with equipment that we products and services are based on Interalready have, are unreliable or dangerous. national Standards gives them a broad choice of offers. They also benefit from • When products, systems, machinery and the effects of competition among supplidevices work well and safely, it is often ers. because they meet standards.

• For governments, Standards provide the • When standards are absent, we soon notechnological and scientific bases undertice pinning health, safety and environmental What Standards Do legislation.

• For trade officials, Standards create “a Standards level playing field” for all competitors on • make the development, manufacturing those markets. The existence of divergent and supply of products and services more national or regional standards can create efficient, safer and cleaner technical barriers to trade. Internation• facilitate trade between countries and al Standards are the technical means by make it fairer which political trade agreements can be • provide governments with a technical put into practice. base for health, safety and environmental • For developing countries, Standards that legislation, and conformity assessment represent an international consensus on • share technological advances and good the state of the art are an important source management practice of technological know-how. By defining • disseminate innovation the characteristics that products and ser• safeguard consumers, and users in genvices will be expected to meet on export eral, of products and services markets, Standards give developing coun• make life simpler by providing solutions tries a basis for making the right decisions to common problems when investing their scarce resources and thus avoid squandering them.

Who Standards Benefits • For consumers, conformity of products Standards provide technological, economic and services to Standards provides assurand societal benefits. ance about their quality, safety and reli• For businesses, the widespread adoption ability. of International Standards means that sup- • For everyone, Standards contribute to the pliers can develop and offer products and quality of life in general by ensuring that services meeting specifications that have the transport, machinery and tools we use wide international acceptance in their secare safe. tors. Therefore, businesses using Interna- • For the planet we inhabit, Standards on tional Standards can compete on many air, water and soil quality, on emissions of more markets around the world. gases and radiation and environmental as-

FRSC INSIGHT FEBRUARY , 2014 18 pects of products can contribute to efforts to preserve the environment.

• • Examples of the Benefits Standards Provides • • Standardization of screw threads helps to keep chairs, children’s bicycles and aircraft together and solves the repair and maintenance problems caused by a lack of standardization that were once a major headache for manufacturers and product users.

• Standards establishing an international consensus on terminology make technology transfer easier and safer. They are an important stage in the advancement of new technologies and dissemination of innovation.

• Without the standardized dimensions of freight containers, international trade would be slower and more expensive.

• Without the standardization of telephone and banking cards, life would be more complicated.

• A lack of standardization may even affect the quality of life itself: for the disabled, for example, when they are barred access to consumer products, public transport and buildings because the dimensions of wheel-chairs and entrances are not standardized.

• Standardized symbols provide danger warnings and information across linguistic frontiers.

• Consensus on grades of various materials gives a common reference for suppliers and clients in business dealings.

• Agreement on a sufficient number of variations of a product to meet most current applications allows economies of scale with cost benefits for both producers and consumers. An example is the standardization of paper sizes.

• Standardization of performance or safety

requirements of diverse equipment makes sure that users’ needs are met while allowing individual manufacturers the freedom to design their own solution on how to meet those needs.

• Standardized computer protocols allow products from different vendors to “talk” to each other.

• Standardized documents speed up the transit of goods, or identify sensitive or dangerous cargoes that may be handled by people speaking different languages.

• Standardization of connections and interfaces of all types ensures the compatibility of equipment of diverse origins and the interoperability of different technologies.

• Agreement on test methods allows meaningful comparisons of products, or plays an important part in controlling pollution - whether by noise, vibration or emissions.

• Safety standards for machinery protect people at work, at play, at sea... and at the dentist’s.

What is conformity assessment?

• Conformity assessment is the name given to the processes that are used to demonstrate that a product (tangible) or a service or a management system or body meets specified requirements. These requirements are contained in ISO/IEC standards and guides. The processes that need to be followed to be able to demonstrate that they meet the requirements are also contained in ISO/IEC standards and guides.

• • The use of ISO/IEC standards in conformity assessment procedures allows for harmonization throughout the world and this, in turn, not only facilitates international trade between countries but also facilitates trade within countries by giving the purchaser of the product or service confidence that it meets the requirements.

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• Conformity assessment can cover one or regulators who are responsible for ensurmore of the following activities: ing the health and safety of the general • Testing of a product/service to determine public. if it complies or performs in accordance • The consumer benefits from conformwith the specified requirements. ity assessment, as it is a mechanism pro• viding confidence to consumers that the • Inspecting the manufacturing process of a products and services they purchase are fit product to ensure that it is manufactured for the purpose. It may also allow the conin a safe manner and according to regulasumer the possibility to seek appropriate tions (e.g. fire extinguishers). remedies should the product be found not • to meet the specified requirements.

• Implementing a management system to • For manufacturers, it allows them to have ensure that products/services are propeace of mind that they have implemented duced or delivered by an organization in systems within their own organizations to a consistent manner and meet customers’ ensure that the products and services they expectations. deliver meet the necessary criteria. The fact that their product or service meets Benefits of Conformity Assessment ISO International Standards also gives • Today, many products require testing for them a competitive edge over those that conformity with specifications or comdo not. pliance with safety, or other regulations • For regulators, it allows them to use the before they can be put on many markets. conformity assessment infrastructure Guides and standards for conformity asas part of the process they use to ensure sessment represent an international conhealth and safety as well as environmensensus on best practice. Their use contal conditions are being continuously met. tributes to the consistency of conformity The regulator will often make conformity assessment worldwide and so facilitates assessment obligatory when it involves trade. health, safety and/or environmental is• Conformity assessment can cover one or sues. Without official assessment and apmore of the following activities: proval the regulator may prohibit the sale 1. Testing of a product/service to determine of products and services. if it complies or performs in accordance with the specified requirements.

Therefore not only does conformity assess2. Inspecting the manufacturing process of a ment provide confidence to consumers and product to ensure that it is manufactured purchasers but it also facilitates the free in a safe manner and according to regula- flow of goods and services between national tions (e.g. fire extinguishers). boundaries.

3. Implementing a management system to ensure that products/services are pro- How conformity assessment works duced or delivered by an organization in a consistent manner and meet customers’ Conformity assessment activities can be expectations. characterized as: • Conformity assessment provides benefits • First party - this is the technical term used to everyone in the supply and demand when conformity assessment to a standchain. This includes the consumer, manuard, specification or regulation is carried facturer and the supplier. It also includes out by the supplier organization itself. In

FRSC INSIGHT FEBRUARY , 2014 20 other words, it is a self-assessment. This is known as a supplier’s declaration of conformity.

• Second party - this is defined as the conformity assessment activity which is performed by the customer of the organization. For example the manufacturer would allow his customer to do an assessment of the product against the requirements.

calibration laboratories.

Personnel certification ISO/IEC 17024:2003 specifies requirements for a body certifying persons against specific requirements, including the development and maintenance of a certification scheme for personnel.

A listing of all CASCO documents (referred to collectively as the CASCO toolbox) is • Third party - this is defined as the conform- available under the section Publications and ity assessment activity that is performed Resources. by a body that is independent of the organization that provides the product and is not Inspection bodies a user of the product. An example of this These organizations examine a huge range of would be when an independent certifica- products, materials, installations, plants, protion body certifies that another organiza- cesses, work procedures and services, in the tion complies with ISO 9001 and issues it private as well as the public sector, and report with a certificate to this effect. on such parameters as quality, fitness for use and continuing safety in operation. The overVery often the decision to use one type of all aim is to reduce risk to the buyer, owner, conformity assessment above another will de- user or consumer of the item being inspected. pend on a number of factors, one of which is The general requirements for the operation the level of risk associated with the product/ of various types of inspection body are given service and the customer’s requirements. in the joint International Standard ISO/IEC 17020:1998 General criteria for the operation Mechanisms for performing conformity of various types of bodies performing inspecassessment tion.

Certification/registration Testing Certification/registration is when a third party This is the most common form of conform- gives written assurance that a product (inity assessment. Testing also provides the basis cluding services), process, personnel, organifor other types of conformity assessment like zation or management system conforms to inspection and product certification. Here a specific requirements. product is tested against a specified set of cri- The terms certification and registration are teria. It can be used to make decisions on the interchangeable and the use of one over the performance of the product. Depending on other is largely dependant on the geographical the risk associated with the product, the test- region. ing laboratory may choose to be accredited.

STANDARD ON SPEED LIMITER The general requirements for laboratories or Scope other organizations to be considered compe- The Nigeria Standard on Speed Limiter spectent to carry out testing calibration and sam- ifies requirements for the performance and pling are specified in the joint International installation of devices designed to limit the Standard ISO/IEC 17025:2005 General re- maximum road speed of motor vehicles by quirements for the competence of testing and control of engine power

FRSC INSIGHT FEBRUARY, 2014 General Requirements • No effect on the workability of the normal operation of vehicle.

• Compatibility with environmental conditions.

• Susceptibility to tampering • Speed Recording and storing devices • Functionality inspection devices (Policing Unit) • Technician’s Manual

21 • Attitude of drivers to speed management on our roads CHALLENGES • Lack of adequate test facilities/trained personnel • Unfaithful drivers • Lack of synergy among the regulators/ inspection agencies

WHY SPEED LIMITERS • Weak legal framework that encourages • Drivers’ recklessness non-compliant persons as punishment for • Roads not too motor able violations are grossly inadequate • Non-compliance to approved speed limit by drivers • Inadequate training of drivers • Lack of maintenance culture in our system

Fruits

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that can help improve liver health

he liver is the organ responsible for an enormous number of metabolic activities, producing cholesterol and breaking down toxins in the body. A healthy diet with a variety of fruits might help prevent the development or progression of liver diseases such as fatty liver disease or cirrhosis. One needs a lot of nutrients for the liver to be optimally healthy.

In general, fruits and vegetables are very necessary since they contain such a wide range of nutrients that participate in liver function.

Additionally, if one should focus on liver health, it is important to consume foods that are organically grown; the liver is an organ that detoxifies chemicals and therefore with organically grown foods one will be able to reduce the exposure to agricultural chemicals.

In this same toxic exposure category, moderate consumption of alcohol (or less) is very important to the health of the liver, since this

organ postpones other important functions when it is trying to metabolize excess alcohol.

Fried foods and other high-fat foods are hard on the liver. Just as with alcohol, there is a limit to the total amount of fat than the liver can process while maintaining all of its other metabolic activities.

A healthy diet for your liver includes unsaturated fats rather than saturated fats. Avocados are excellent sources of unsaturated fats. The majority of the fat in avocados comes from monounsaturated fats, which might lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Monounsaturated fats might also help control the blood sugar levels and reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes, which is a risk factor for liver disease. Olives are also high in monounsaturated fatty acids, but their high sodium content affects your blood pressure. High blood pressure places more stress on the liver

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Fruits for Weight Loss Most fruits, because they are low in calories can help an individual lose weight. Fresh fruits such as apples, pears, nectarines and grapes are convenient alternatives to higher-calorie snacks or desserts. Fresh fruits might be better for your liver than dried fruit because dried fruit is high in calories. .

Flavourful Fruits It is very important to lower the level of sodium intake if especially if one suffers from certain liver conditions, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or cirrhosis. Citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruits, help lower sodium intake if used in place of salt to flavour foods, such as fish or chicken.

High-Fibre Fruits High-fibre foods are healthy for the liver because they lower levels of cholesterol in the blood. The liver is responsible for processing cholesterol, and a reduction in the cholesterol levels can lower the stress on the liver and promote liver health. Berries, such as raspberries, blackberries and strawberries, apples, pumpkin, bananas and most other kinds of fruit are high in dietary fibre.

References: 1. h t t p : / / w w w . w h f o o d s . c o m / g e n p a g e . php?tname=fightdz&dbid=11 2. http://www.livestrong.com/article/509131-the-bestfruits-for-the-liver/

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Vehicle Inspection and Certification ProgrammeContinued for Road Worthiness from December Edition Auditing Vehicle Inspection Centres A penalty system should be imposed for auditing the performance of the service centres based on the UK model, where, for every different type of offence committed certain penalty points are awarded and after a centre accumulates a certain number of penalty points its license is cancelled. This would enable a more transparent form of operation and could include offences like: 1. Issuing fake/duplicate fitness certificates 2. Improper inspection procedure followed 3. Inadequate infrastructure, equipment in the vehicles inspection centre 4. Lack of well trained and qualified staff

ing programmes and course content have to be centrally developed. The training and refresher training have to be provided for the following target groups: 1. Staff, attendants and motor vehicle inspectors at the vehicle inspection centres.

2. Auditors for auditing performance of inspection centres and staff of state transport departments and the staff of mobile on-road enforcement.

3. Mechanics in the vehicle repair centres so that they can repair vehicles efficiently.

• Training modules would be prepared for the above target groups that specify the contents, schedule and, duration of the programme, and the period for refresher courses.

Data Collection and Analysis • To ensure that the new system responds to improvements in vehicle technol- • Refresher courses to update their ogy and increasingly stringent emisskills and knowledge of the mansion and safety standards, a centralized power periodically is also necessary data collection and analysis function . should be vested with the Nodal agency. • The training calendar have to be developed by the private operators for their • A centralized common software is repersonnel for the training courses proquired for data transfer, storage, data vided by the appointed centres as desiganalysis and uploading to the website, etc. nated by the State Transport Department.

• All the I&C centres in a state should be con- • The state governments can pay the nected to the State registration authority fees for the training programme, which and in turn all the state transport authorities can be recovered from the vehicle inare to be networked under the Federal Govspection centre in form of fees/taxes. ernment for data sharing and data analysis.

• The public should be able to make ap- Public Awareness Campaign pointment through a website for taking their vehicles to the I&C Centres. • A consumer awareness campaign should be launched with the help of schools, Human Resources Development NGOs, community-based organizations, • For effective implementation of the I&C automobile associations, and research inprogramme, manpower training and castitutes. The TV / radio network media can pacity building is necessary. Such trainprovide a wide coverage of the benefits of

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FRSC INSIGHT FEBRUARY, 2014 the I&C to the individual owners.

• This mass consumer awareness campaign to be run on a regular basis should focus on making the consumer aware of the following issues: 1. Advantages of an inspection and maintenance programme for a vehicle owner; 2. The process followed in the inspection of a vehicle 3. How a vehicle owner must maintain the vehicles 4. Frequency of an inspection programme 5. Location of authorized vehicle repair and maintenance centres 6. Roles and duties of a vehicle inspection centre 7. Locations and list of authorized vehicle testing stations 8. Legal status of inspection programme and fines imposed for offences.

Action Plan • An independent federal nodal agency required to: 1. Ensure the effective implementation of an I&C programme, 2. Provide necessary technical and administrative assistance to the Government in developing a comprehensive I&C programme, 3. Assist the state government in creating necessary infrastructure and monitor the implementation at State level.

• This agency can be set-up on the basis of similar agency like Vehicle Operator Service Agency (VOSA) in UK and National Vehicle Inspection Agency in Japan.

Though initially the Government may provide funds to create the nodal agency, later self-sustainability should be achieved through revenue generation by the agency.

• This agency should function with the following objective to develop an effective I&C programme for the country: 1. Develop a detailed program content in

consultation with State Governments.

2. Suggest necessary changes in the legislative framework for implementing a comprehensive I&C programme in the country.

3. Identify the number of centres required and develop an implementation plan for creating necessary infrastructure.

4. Recommend the type of tests and procedures for testing vehicles on emission and safety parameters.

5. Prepare necessary guidelines for setting up and operation of an automated vehicle inspection centres.

6. Develop vehicle inspection and audit manuals 7. Develop training course contents, identify resources and prepare an action plan for providing training of necessary technical manpower.

8. Develop specifications for a centralized software and networking of the Inspection centres.

9. Analyse the data and suggest further changes in the test procedures and standards.

10. Prepare an enforcement plan and monitor the implementation at the state level.

11. Set-up an audit system and monitor the inspection centres feasibility report.

A power point presentation by Engr. Aminu Jalal, FNSE, FNIMechE, FNIM Director-General National Automotive Council

26 FRSC INSIGHT FEBRUARY , 2014

Firefly A lesson for the scientists

A

Firefly is a beetles, belonging to the nocturnal members of the family Lampyridae. Most fireflies have wings thus distinguished them from other luminescent insects of the same family, commonly known as glowworms.

There are about 2,000 firefly species. These insects live in a variety of warm environments, as well as in more temperate regions, and are a familiar sight on warm evenings.

Fireflies love moisture and often live in humid regions. In drier areas, they are found around wet or damp areas that retain moisture.

Fireflies have dedicated light organs that are located under their abdomens. The insects take in oxygen and, inside special cells, combine it with a substance called luciferin to produce light with almost no heat. Researchers have found that tiny scales on the lantern surface of some fireflies form a corrugated pattern, somewhat like overlapping tiles. The scale stilts up at one end by just 3 micrometres-less than one twentieth the thickness of human hair. Yet this tiny tilt lets the lantern shine almost 50 percent more brightly than it would if the scales formed an even surface.

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FRSC INSIGHT FEBRUARY, 2014 F

o

l Following this observation, scientist coated LEDs with corrugated surface similar to that of the firefly’s lantern. The LED emitted 55 percent more light.

Firefly light is usually intermittent, and flashes in patterns that are unique to each species. Each blinking pattern is an optical signal that helps fireflies find potential mates.

Reference: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/firefly/

The Federal Road Safety Corps is committed to creating a safer motoring environment through compliance with the FRSC (Establishment) Act 2007, other traffic laws and Quality Management System Standards with a view to continually improving its mode of operations.

Decade of Action for Road Safety is attainable!

Let’s Join hands to create a Safe Road in Nigeria

FRSC INSIGHT FEBRUARY , 2014 28

Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategyNorman Schwarzkopf

on Leadership

Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall. —Stephen Covey

Quotes

Leadership is unlocking people’s potential to become better. — Bill Bradley

My responsibility is getting all my players playing for the name on the front of the jersey, not the one on the back. –Unknown

The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men, the conviction and the will to carry on. —Walter Lippman True leadership lies in guiding others to success. In ensuring that everyone is performing at their best, doing the work they are pledged to do and doing it well. —Bill Owens You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do. —Eleanor Roosevelt A good leader is a person who takes a little more than his share of the blame and a little less than his share of the credit. —John Maxwell

A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week. –George Patton The supreme quality of leadership is integrity. –Dwight Eisenhower Leadership cannot just go along to get along. Leadership must meet the moral challenge of the day. —Jesse Jackson In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. —Thomas Jefferson

FRSC INSIGHT FEBRUARY, 2014 EMERGENCY CALL LINE: 0700- CALL-FRSC (0700-2255-3772) EMERGENCY TEXT MESSAGE LINE: 0807 -769- 0362 FRSC EMERGENCY TOLL FREE LINE ON ALL NETWORKS: 122

frsc emergency

Planning Advisory Unit Converting data into intelligence for making evidence based decision Conducting global monitoring and benchmarking Conducting surveys and internal consulting for departments and corps offices Offering technical assistance and coaching to departments and corps Offices Phone: +234 8077201236 +234 7036136152