The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, has called on all Nigerians to be vigilant and do the needful before and as they embark on any journey during and after this season, no matter how short it may be, so as to make Easter 2018 a stress and sorrow free celebration.
According to Bisi Kazeem, the Corps Public Education Officer, in a statement released to the press, Oyeyemi noted that this call becomes pertinent arising from the number of unlicensed drivers plying the nation’s highways, which the Corps is contending with on a daily basis as well as the egocentric traffic behaviour of motorists, usually manifested in general lack of consideration for other road users which inadvertently causes more grief than relief for the families of the victims and the nation at large.
He therefore admonished all those who will travel during the period to plan their journey on time and drive within the legal speed limit to arrive safe.
Continuing, the spokesman of the Commission stated that the Corps Marshal on behalf of the Management of the Corps assures all Nigerians that FRSC has taken proactive measures to ensure safe travels during and after the Easter celebrations.
Accordingly, he further elaborated that, however, to achieve the aforementioned, motorists need to be particularly wary of excessive speed, overloading, driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, use of sub-standard tyres and distracted driving, including the use of phone. Road rage, which is the expression of sociopath, must also be subdued.
On speeding, as you know and must understand, the automobiles are not on their own ferocious but it is the individual who is behind the wheel that should be feared.
In view of this, Bisi emphasized that the Corps Marshal further admonished the general public and all motorists to always take the first driving precaution which according to him is that, one should regard only oneself as sane while others remain in the suspicious state of insanity.
No motorist should be unnecessarily in a hurry when any road traffic challenge surfaces so that the situation is not unduly aggravated. Motorists should instead, cooperate fully with FRSC and other law enforcement agents on ground. Aside from the regular and special Marshals, all FRSC Community First Responders across the nation’s critical corridors have all been mobilized to be on the lookout for any emergency and attend to them promptly.
“Let me use this opportunity to call on parents to properly secure their children in the car seats, admonishing that if they truly love them they are better belted up in the vehicle and ensure that all the distracted attentions on them while driving should be curtailed until they get home or safe to do so. Parents and indeed all motorists should note that almost all road traffic crashes occur because of human distractions or errors. We can therefore avoid collective destruction if we are more careful with our ways of doing things.” He added.
The Corps Marshal further appealed to all motorists to always give room to rescue operators at road traffic crash scenes. “Remember, a crash scene is not a cinema house or hall. If you do not have business there please move on instead of aggravating the situation on ground. Crash scenes are known to have further resulted in additional crashes and casualties because of our unsafe conduct. Remember also that if you are not safe, you cannot save”.
When we encounter any breakdown, please pull off the highway and call for assistance from the nearby inhabitant. Ensure that you do not stop at isolated places too so that you don’t become prey to negative elements.
More so, if in any dangerous environment you may call the FRSC Call Center. The center will link the nearest FRSC Command to assist in whatever way possible. You may also call on the Police and any other security post nearest to you. Be warned however, that on no account should you leave your vehicle to cause obstruction on the highway. Genuine efforts must be made to remove any broken down vehicle as soon as possible.
In another parlance, he also warned the general public to note that the Corps will not hesitate to bring any unrepentant offender to book and in doing so, it would resist any attempt at assaulting its personnel. He therefore urged that instead of such disposition, motorists should be patriotic by subjecting themselves to the dictates of the law and appreciate the fact that the system is progressively functional to the benefit of all. This is the only way that law and order can be maintained in the nation.
He therefore reminded members of the public to report any road traffic crash on time, to the FRSC Call Centre through its Toll-Free line: 122 or 0700-CALL-FRSC, 0700-2255-3772 for prompt response.
Please note that any delay in reporting would also definitely delay rescue efforts, including medical attention to those who may need such, thus aggravating their injuries or extending their pains and may even lead to deaths. He therefore called on all to make that call on time to a save life.
Concluding, while wishing Nigerians a happy Easter, Oyeyemi reminded the Christian faithful that the true essence of the season is the celebration of one of the incredible love of God for mankind as it brings peace, gladness of hope and the warmth of love.
Accordingly, he charged all Nigerians to know that preservation of lives on our highways and indeed in any place, on itself, is a great honour that the human race can bestow on the Almighty God because life is sacred to the Creator that is why He created us in His own image and likeness.
