By TOBA AJAYI

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has advised the motoring public to embrace safety culture and take issues of safety as everybody’s business.

The Kwara FRSC Sector Commander, Mr Frederick Ogidan, gave the advice while speaking at the 2022 Ember Month Safety Campaign Flag Off, at Kwara Express Motor Park, Ilorin, on Thursday.

Ogidan said the flag off programme was aimed at sensitizing the motoring public on need to exercise caution and avoid unwarranted death on the road.

According to him, most people erroneously believe there are evil forces responsible for road crashes during the Ember months without cautious and self-discipline by the road users.

“Festive periods are always busy periods every year. There is need to be cautious and play along the ethics of driving.

“Avoid over speeding, shun drink and drive habit, stop disobeying the traffic rules while on the road to arrive safely at your destinations.

“Road safety cannot prevent everything. You need to be self-disciplined and cautious on the road. Embrace safety measures to reduce road crashes.

“Safety is everybody’s business. Join hands with the FRSC to fight the ugly monster cutting life short on our roads,” he urged.

Ogidan also advised commercial drivers who are hungry for more trips to be cautious and rest during the Yuletide.

He enjoined them to always relax mentally and stop being desperate to make profit and costing people’s lives.

Besides, Ogidan cautioned road users to stop patronising fake and ‘tokunbo’ tyres, and bear the pain by going for new tyres.

“Don’t because of money and die untimely. Patronise original tyres and consistently visit your experts for servicing,” he further advised.

The commander said as efforts to reduce road crashes in the state, his command is making efforts to sensitise motoring public via early morning cry at motor parks, market advocacy, school advocacy, stakeholder’s engagement and visits to Churches and Mosques.

“In Kwara, we have 10 unit commands spread across the state, roadside clinics manned by qualified doctors, nurses, paramedics and a Zebra Ambulance point along Ilorin-Ogbomosho road to ensure safety,” he said.

Ogidan however commended Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for numerous ongoing and completed road projects in the state to ensure smooth drive and public safety.

He however called on the governor to ensure road signs are put on the roads for safety purpose.

The Zonal Commanding Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Hyginus Omeje, also advised motorists to avoid traveling at night and desist from over-speeding.

Omeje, who is the Zonal Commanding Officer of Kogi, Kwara and Ekiti states, commended AbdulRazaq for his support to the Kwara FRSC commands.

He however appealed to the governor to light up Kwara to allow easy movement at night.

“We appreciate your Excellency for the good roads and support to FRSC. We need one more thing which is aerial lights. Light up Kwara for safety and easy movement,” he said.

AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Olabode Towoju, pledged his continuous support to the FRSC in the state.

The governor also urged road users and the public to be law abiding and obey traffic rules for their safety.

NAN reports that the theme of the programme: “Avoid Speeding, Overloading and Unsafe Tyres to Arrive Alive”, was graced by transport agencies across the state.

NAN also reports that members of NURTW, RTEAN, TOAN, ORAN, ATTAN, NATA, AIT and other organised transport industry representatives were present at the programme. (NAN)