Ember Months: FRSC Urges Motorists to Follow Traffic Rules

By Khalid Idrid Doya Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC) has tasked motorists to take full responsibility of their actions and inactions ...

By Khalid Idrid Doya

Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC) has tasked motorists to take full responsibility of their actions and inactions on the road by maintaining their vehicles, obeying traffic laws, and other road regulations. 

"We must take proactive steps to provide hope, not fear, when using our roads as the consequences of our actions or inactions will be severe if we fail to address these challenges", the commission said.

The FRSC Corps Marshall, Shehu Mohammed said in a press conference in Bauchi Tuesday that the task of ensuring a safer motoring environment in Nigeria is a crucial and collective responsibility.

He explained that the Corps will fully be committed to its responsibility of educating all road users, believing that by empowering them with the right knowledge, road traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities would be reduced to the barest minimum.

Represented by the Bauchi State Sector Commander Istifanus Ibrahim, said the Corps has intensified its efforts to ensure smooth traffic flow, reduce road crashes, and create a safer motoring environment nationwide. 

According to him, he directed the immediate commencement of Mega Public Enlightenment, Sensitization Campaigns in all states, including the Federal Capital Territory while enforcement has been placed on red alert.

He further said the Corps has reassessed the state of road safety and traffic management in Nigeria, with a focus on reviewing and improving their strategies in all fronts.

"These new policies aim to not only enhance the road transportation sector by changing drivers' behaviour but also to position Nigeria as a safety-conscious nation in the global community. These efforts are being made despite the significant challenges the Corps faces as the government agency responsible for road safety.

"As part of this, we have revised our public education strategy, introducing new dynamic approaches. These include mega town hall meetings, motorcades, transit, rest areas, and loading bays advocacy. 

"This strategy arose from the need to engage passengers and encourage them to assert their rights, thereby curbing drivers excesses, because it is on record that more passengers are killed in road traffic crashes than drivers. Hence the need to take up the responsibility of being more vigilant while on transit," Shehu added.

Mohammed added that the alarming number of road traffic crashes in Nigeria, which claim many lives while various factors contribute to these crashes, driver's behaviour and passengers' indifference to reckless driving are major contributors.

He announced that the corps has focused on re-educating passengers and helping them understand their rights. 

Shehu further stated that,  "The agreement between the driver and the passenger is clear: the driver must ensure the passenger reaches their destination safely. Passengers have a right not to be injured, killed, harassed, or have their rights violated. By empowering passengers, we aim to reduce road traffic crashes."

Also, he said Commanding Officers have been directed to actively engage commuters, ensuring they are familiar with safety regulations, report reckless driving, use seatbelts, and support responsible driving. 

"Passengers must avoid distractions and contribute to safe road use. This is because, oftentimes than not, passengers are the most affected in the event of traffic crashes, hence the need for them to start speaking up," he concluded.