By Richard Akintade, Osogbo
Osun State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has warned motorists against dangerous overtaking and driving against traffic as yuletide approaches.
The Sector Commander of the Corps in the state, Mrs Kudirat Ibrahim, who gave this advice during the “Ember Months” campaign flagged-off at Oke-Ijetu motor park, Osogbo described, “Ember Months” as a period when motorists and other road users should take precaution on the highways.
Ibrahim said in order to avoid unwanted situations that could lead to accidents on highways, there was the need for motorists to adhere strictly to road safety rules and regulations.
At the event with the theme “Drive Safe, Stay Safe”, stakeholders brainstormed just as motorists and other road users were sensitised on the dangers attached to reckless driving.
The Sector Commander said: “Nigerians are getting informed daily owing to the fact that road users are being educated periodically and regularly in motor parks, Churches, Mosques, and through Radio and Television programmes with its public enlightenment units.
“The FRSC enlightenment policies and programmes have awakened the behavioural attitudes of most road users in adherence to traffic regulations.”
She implored motorists to ensure that their vehicles were in proper conditions before embarking on any journey especially during the Christmas and New Year period.
“The road is always busy during the last quarter of the year and more vehicles embarked in journeys which we all know.
“Drivers must always check their tires, avoid speeding, wrongful overtaking, making or receiving calls, drunkenness and other vices that could lead to accidents,” Ibrahim said.
The Sector Commander commended the efforts of the Zonal Commander in charge of Osun, Oyo, and Ondo, Mr Godwin Ogagagghene, across the zone in ensuring that the campaign exercises was a huge success.
Ibrahim, therefore, praised Governor Gboyega Oyetola, for his support to the Command, adding that the corps would continue in its services to the people of the state .
The guest lecturer for the event, Dr J.T. Adekolawole, Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ede, spoke on the pragmatic approaches and consistent collaborations among all stakeholders in curtailing accidents on highways.
Adekolawole, who represented the Deputy Rector, Academics, Dr Joseph Petinrin, said the pressure on roads were high and the driving culture among motorists was quite alarming .
He urged motorists to comply with road safety regulations in order to complement the efforts of the Corps in curtailing accidents on highways.
Adekolawole commended the state government for the huge development strides in the area of road infrastructure, adding that it would help reduce carnages on our roads.
The Speaker of the Osun House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Timothy Owoeye, also appreciated the efforts of the command with the periodic statistics in the state presented to him.
Owoeye noted that Osun recorded 126 deaths from January to November and 1,256 persons were also involved in accidents with various degrees of injuries.
He urged the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to further spread the awareness campaign against dangerous driving, which could lead to early deaths.
The Speaker commended the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, for his relentless efforts towards ensuring that the “ember months” campaign exercises were spread across the 36 states of the federation.
Owoeye, however, said the state government would continue to support the command towards ensuring that road accidents were curtailed in the state.
The flag off ceremony had in attendance security sister agencies, traditional leaders, NURTW, road users and key government officials.
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