Olumide Lawal
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said that road crashes can be avoided if only motorists drive safe and adhere strictly to the safety rules.
The Edo Sector Commander, Samuel Odukoya, made the remarks on Monday during flag-off of the `Ember’ month campaign tagged “Crash the Crash, Speed Kills”, which took place in Auchi, Etsako-West Local Government Area of the state.
According to him, the command has concluded plans to deploy 475 personnel and 500 special marshals in various highways in Edo State for patrol to ensure safety during Yuletide.
He said the massive deployment is due to fact that Edo State is strategically located; and motorists travelling to any part of the country pass through the state.
He said, “We have 475 officers and 500 special marshals that will be on patrol in strategic routes within the various commands and units of our zone in Edo.
“You know Edo State is strategically located; and motorists travelling to any part of the country must pass through Edo. The volume of vehicles that plies our roads are so enormous that we need to be proactive to ensure the roads are safer for the people during this festivity.”
Odukoya advised motorists to always plan their journeys to reduce accidents and ensure that vehicles were roadworthy before embarking on any trip.
“Motorists should not overload their vehicles and should also not travel at night because of insecurity to ensure hitch-free journey,’’ he said.
Earlier, FRSC unit commander in Auchi, Moses Bature, said the campaign was geared toward educating public on safe driving during and after the festive period.
“The essence of the public enlightenment is to bring road traffic crash on its knees as road traffic crash has been a cankerworm to most families over the years. However, it can be avoided if drivers obey traffic laws,” he said.
Bature said that motorists still engaged in overloading their vehicles and violating traffic rules.
He said that the unit had intensified its enforcement on overloading and speeding, especially during the festive period.
