The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it will deploy 25,000 regular and special marshals nationwide on special patrol during the Sallah celebration.

The Public Education Officer of the corps, Mr Bizi Kazeem, said in Abuja that 864 cars, 106 ambulances, 22 tow trucks and 266 motorcycles would also be deployed for the exercise.

According to Kazeem, the aim is to ensure effective management of expected upsurge in human and vehicle traffic to minimise road accidents during the period.

“We want to emphasise traffic control and calm motorists to ensure that they reach their destinations without any delay.

“We have about 200 mobile courts already set up to try erring offenders, and we are emphasising that drivers should not use their phones while driving.

“We are also emphasising the use of the speed limiting device as it relates to commercial vehicle operators.

“Our focus is also going to be on overloading, lane indiscipline and obstruction on the road.

“We are looking at critical routes such as the Abuja-Lokoja highway; Lagos-Ibadan expressway; Benin-Asaba-Ore road; and some other critical areas to ensure that we record zero crash during the Sallah period.’’

Kazeem said the patrol would hold from June 22 to June 28.

He said FRSC rescue teams would operate skeletal services in the evenings for security reasons, since FRSC officials were not armed.

He, however, explained that the operation would last up to 10 o’clock in the evening in places such as Lagos.

“We have intensified public education to make sure that we sensitise the motoring public to the use of the road without getting involved in crashes.

“I want to also say that if you are a passenger, don’t be a passive one, be active.

“You can stop a driver before he kills you. And as a driver, you have to know that life has no duplicate. You must safeguard your life.’” (NAN)

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