By Ajibola Adedoye
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Apapa Unit Command, has prompted drivers to avoid unrealistic year-end targets to avoid gratuitous pressure.
The Unit Commander, Chief Route Commander Kaleson Makanto, gave the advice on Thursday at a one- day sensitisation workshop for motorists and fleet operstors in Lagos.
The workshop themed: “Improving Safety on the Roads” was organised by the FRSC in confluence with the Amuwo Odofin Local Government.
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Makanto noted that as the year was ending, series of conditioning would lead to high business volumes on roadways which make motorists reckless on the roads.
He said the desire for quick earnings from multiple return trips and reckless driving would lead to increase in Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) with various injuries and losses.
“The FRSC and Amuwo Odofin Local Government are concerned over the safety of its natives, residers and road users, hence this gathering as a call for a collaborative effort to stop this menace.
“Road crashes is substantially caused by you and I” she said.
Makanto noted that RTC in the first quarter of 2024 stood at 2,662, indicating a drop of 2.02 per cent compared with 2,733 in the relative period of 2023, indicating a drop of three per cent.
She bared that of all crashes, serious cases was the loftiest in the first quarter with 1,715 compared to fatal and minor cases with 693 and 254 independently.
“A total of 1,169 males were killed in the first quarter of 2024, accounting for 79.50 per cent of 1,471 persons killed, compared to 302 (20.50 per cent) females killed.
“Also, a total of 6,749 males were injured during the period, indicating 77.90 per cent of 8,659 injured persons compared to 1,910 (22.10 per cent) of injured females.
“A total of 3,952 vehicles were involved in road crashes in the first quarter which was lower compared to the former quarter which recorded 4,195, indicating a drop of 5.80 per cent, ” she said.
She prompted Nigerians to be safety conscious by adhering traffic rules and regulations and avoid use of alcohol and drugs while driving.
“Passengers too should by this enlightenment advise their drivers when trying to defy any traffic rules as similar habit can dock their lives or give a endless distortion and loss of valuables, ” she said.
Mr Valentine Buraimo, the Chairman Amuwo Oshodi Local Government, prompted motorists to insure safety of drivers.
“Loss of lives can not be replaced and so everything that will insure the protection of lives and property should be stuck to.
“We must think and dream safety at all times because safety conscious will insure lives are not lost.
“It’s wrong to be receiving and taking a call while driving, ” he said.
Also, Mrs Ijeoma Muokeme, Assistant Commander Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Festac Area Command, prompted drivers to insure drug test were done on motorists before recruiting them.
Muokeme who spoke on the content: “Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Drug Use,” stressed the significance of test on motorists to avoid accident.
“Driving under the influence of alcohol has negative effect on the motorist, it makes one to take dangerous behaviours” she said.
Also, the Superintendent Route Commander, FRSC, Anthony Chukwudifu, prompted participants to be moderate while driving as the last quarter of the year approaches.
“In this period, people are eager to make plutocrat, vehicle movement will be important, so we need to take into consideration the standard of the road while driving and reduce the speed.
“In recent time, while vehicles are being loaded, motorists are by the side getting drunk and this should be checked by their employers,” he said.
Chukwudifu spoke on the content “part of Fleet Drivers in Reducing RTC (An FRSC conception).
He also prompted line drivers not to compromise norms so as to reduce crashes on the roads.
“Fleet operators should take the welfare of their drivers very serious and insure the vehicles are in good order.
Ms Oluwadamilola Ojo, Health Education Officer at the local government, prompted the motorists to always insure that they were in good health before embarking on a trip.
“As field officers, you need to be in good health, do not drink and drive, remember that if anything happens now, there’s an alternative driver waiting to take your position” Ojo said.
Highlight of the event was the preface of the FRSC Mobile App which was launched on September 5 to the participants of the workshop.
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