The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nasarawa State Sector Command, has issued warnings to drivers about the usage of expired tyres, overloading, and speeding, in order to prevent traffic accidents, particularly during the ember months.
At the launch of the command's 2022 Ember Months campaigns yesterday in Lafia, the State FRSC Sector Commander, CC Ibrahim Bazama, issued the warning.
"Avoid Over Speeding, Overloading, and Unsafe Tyres to Arrive Alive" was the topic of the advertising.
According to statistics on crashes in the state, speeding caused around 92 per cent of fatal crashes, according to Bazama.
He claimed that several victims of the collisions suffered various degrees of injury, and several of them were left permanently disabled.
“The campaign is a usual tradition in the corps, observed nationwide at this time of the year because of the very high rate of travels in the build-up to celebrating the yuletide with our family members, some of whom we may not have seen since the beginning of the year.
“The campaign becomes necessary as the vehicular flow is expected to be higher than normal, with the heightened temptation by drivers to speed under the erroneous belief of maximising returns.
“As a result, they endanger the lives of their passengers and other road users through road crashes that were largely avoidable,” he said.
He said that the corps would continue to preach against speeding, overloading and unsafe tyres in the interest of the safety of the people and the development of the country.
“The corps has always preached against night travels because the threat it poses can be very grave and irreversible,’’ he added.
The sector commander commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule for the construction of Yahaya Sabo Ultra Modern bus Terminal, Lafia, and Sani Abacha Ultra Modern Park in Karu Local Government Area.
“We believe that his Excellency will also consider the construction of similar terminals in critical locations in the drive towards standardising road transport system in the state,” he said.
He appreciated the governor for his support of the command’s operation over the years in the state.
Bezama, however, appealed to the governor for assistance to repair the ambulance donated by the state government to be deployed to the Corps Road Crash clinic in Shabu to enhance prompt response to crash victims.
He also made a case for the repair of the donated FRSC tow truck for prompt evacuation of broken-down vehicles on the road, which could pose threat to road users, especially at night.
Also speaking, Acting Corps Marshal, DCM Dauda Ali- Biu, said that he had directed for the immediate commencement of mega public enlightenment and sensitisation campaign in the 36 states including FCT.
“This is part of the corps’ concerted efforts geared towards ensuring free flow of traffic, eradicating road traffic crashes and creating a safe motoring environment in our beloved country,” he said.
Ali-Biu, represented by the Zonal Commanding Officer, RS4HQ, ACM Gilbert Igbokwe, gave a matching order that all hands must be on deck to ensure the free flow of traffic.
He added that they should ensure a reduction in road crashes and improved enforcement of traffic laws.
Gov. Sule while inaugurating the campaign, appreciated the efforts of the corps in ensuring that roads were safe in the country.
Sule, represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Health Matters, Margret Elayo, advised motorists to avoid speeding and overloading while driving.
He assured the Corps of his administration’s continuous support to enable them to succeed in their mandate in the state.
Newsmen report that the event had in attendance Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Vehicles Inspection Officers, and members of NURTW among others.
PRIME 9JA ONLINE also reports that the event featured free medical checks for sugar and blood pressure levels among others.