The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has called on Nigerians to exercise greater caution and responsibility on the roads to reduce the alarming rate of traffic accidents across the country.
Speaking at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, during a hospital visitation to mark the conclusion of the 2024 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, John Oku, the Deputy Corps Commander, Policy Research and Statistics, FRSC Anambra State Sector Command, emphasized the importance of road safety.
According to Oku, the visit was a gesture of solidarity with victims of road traffic crashes (RTC) and an opportunity to support their recovery. “This visitation is the grand finale. We are here to see RTC victims and provide them with consumables to aid their quick recovery,” he stated.
The FRSC official highlighted negligence, failure to observe traffic regulations, delayed driver response, and inadequate training as key causes of road accidents. He urged motorists to exercise restraint and comply with road safety measures to safeguard lives.
Oku also appealed to passengers to speak up against reckless driving, stressing that silence in such situations often leads to avoidable tragedies. “Like our theme for this year says, ‘More passengers die than drivers’, we are urging road users not to keep quiet if the driver is over-speeding. Call him to order because when accidents occur, it’s usually the passengers who suffer the most casualties,” he noted.
Similarly, Chinwe Nwokike, the Chairperson of the Road Safety Officers Wives Association (ROSOWA), Anambra State Sector Command, reiterated the need for restraint during the ember months. She warned that human error and reckless behavior on the roads pose significant risks to all road users.
Nwokike emphasized that adopting safer attitudes while driving is critical to reducing the surge in road accidents often witnessed during this period.
The FRSC’s continued advocacy for responsible road usage underscores the agency’s commitment to promoting safety and reducing the toll of road traffic crashes across Nigeria.