The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has instructed commanding officers to intensify patrol efforts and enforce laws rigorously concerning overloading, the use of rickety vehicles, and excessive smoke emission by vehicles.
FRSC Corps Marshal Dauda Ali-Biu made this directive during the Flag-off of the Easter Mega Motor Park Rally Enlightenment campaign held at Nyanya Park in Abuja on Thursday.
Ali-Biu was represented by the Deputy Corps Marshal in charge of operations, Mr Shehu Zaki. He said that the Corps was working assiduously to ensure a significant shift in the attitude of motorists.
He said that the rally was imperative in view of the envisioned increase in vehicular and human movement across the country during the Easter holidays. He stated that frequent road crashes were not caused by evil spirit, but bad driving habits and impatience.
“During the 2023 Easter special patrol operations which lasted between 6-12 April, 2023, the Corps recorded a total of 107 Road Traffic Crashes that involved 705 people.
“From these crashes, 81 people were killed, 345 victims injured while 279 people were rescued without injuries.
“This is unacceptable and the Corps has risen to surmount this very challenge by bringing sensitisation talks to the door steps of commuters. This will serve as a strategic intervention to reduce road traffic crashes and fatalities, in line with our 2024 corporate strategic goals.
“All commanding officer should, threfore, ensure strict enforcement on overloading and rickety vehicles this Easter to avert any form of traffic accidents on the road,” the corps marshal said.
Ali-Biu emphasized the grave dangers posed by drinking and driving, use of worn-out tires, overloading, lane indiscipline, excessive speed, and wrong overtaking on the roads. These behaviors not only endanger the lives of passengers, drivers, and animals but also contribute to the deterioration of road infrastructure, which is a significant cost to taxpayers.
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To address these challenges, the FRSC initiated efforts to educate drivers and motor park officials about road safety measures. They recognize the crucial role that union officials play in ensuring road safety and preventing traffic gridlocks and associated hazards, especially at black spots on highways.
Yusuf Alabi, representing the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, urged drivers to adhere to traffic rules and regulations at all times. He assured the union’s continued support for the FRSC in spreading the message of safety to motorists nationwide.
The event was attended by personnel of the Nigerian Police Force and Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, among others.
Credible News reports that the campaign is “Overloading is a Time Bomb: Stop the Deaths, Do not Overload with Persons, Animals or Goods”.
Credible news.ng
