Ember Months: Stop mounting pressure on drivers – FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has warned private and public companies against mounting pressure on drivers to minimise crashes as year ends.

The Idiroko Unit Commander of FRSC, Mr Akinwunmi Olaluwoye, gave the warning on Thursday during the 2021 Ember Months campaign launch by the command at Atan Motor park of the state.

Our correspondent reports that the 2021 Ember Months Campaign has its theme as “Maintain speed, avoid night travels and enjoy quality road experience”.

Olaluwoye said that the warning became necessary as the year was winding down and commercial activities were increasing in major cities and towns.

The unit commander added that the caution was necessary because of the hustling and bustling in private and public companies trying to meet up their targets before the end of the year.

“The effect of such pressure is usually mounted on the driver’s who convey goods and services or passengers from one location to another.

“The resultant effect of such pressure sometimes lead to road traffic crashes occasioned by over speeding, overloading and night travelling, during which many lives and properties are lost,” he said

Olaluwoye said that there was the need for FRSC to address this menace through adequate public enlightenment programmes and campaign to reduce mishaps during, before and after the ember months.

He said that FRSC could not rest on its oars and watch notable men and women, business tycoons, celebrities and other road users died on the road through reckless driving and negligence of drivers.

The unit commander implored motorists against night travels and maintain speed so as to enjoy quality road experience.

He advised drivers to be cautious and shun overloading as well as ensuring proper maintenance of their vehicles before embarking on a journey.

Earlier, the Sector Commander of FRSC, Ogun, Mr Ahmed Umar, said the upsurge in road traffic crashes in both commercial and communal activities could be traced to speeding and wrongful overtaking.

Others, he listed, as fatigue and lack of proper planning before embarking on journeys.

Umar, represented by Mr Akeem Ganiyu, Sango-Ota Unit Commander of FRSC, advised motorists to adhere to stipulated speed to avoid unnecessary crashes.

He enjoined drivers against night travelling because of its numerous dangers like insecurity, poor visibility and lack of rescue operation associated with it.

The sector commander said that the choice of Ember Months Campaign around Idiroko route showed that speed related crashes had increased in the axis.

He added that it was only the driver that returned home safely at night that is the best driver.