Yuletide: FRSC deploys 36,224 personnel, 1,226 patrol logistics nationwide

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has deployed a total of 36,224 personnel and 1,226 patrol logistics for ease of vehicular movement during the Christmas and New Year celebration across the country.

The FRSC Acting Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu said this during a press briefing on Monday in Abuja.

Biu said the FRSC had always ensured the safety of lives and properties of all road users during the end of the year celebrations.

He said that the Corps had maintained a culture of organising Special Patrol operations, code named ‘Operation Zero Tolerance To Road Traffic Crashes’, over the years.

He said that the operation is strategically organised at the end of the year, in swift and passionate readiness to tackle the envisioned increase in vehicular traffic.

He said he measure follows the series of activities that mark the yuletide.

Biu said that the fundamental objective of the special patrol operations which commenced from Dec. 15 to terminate on Jan. 15, 2023, are enforcement of traffic laws and prompt response to Road Traffic Crashes victims.

This, he said, also included unhindered engagement in purposeful public education and enlightenment across the country.

“On this note, a total of 25,224 personnel in the category of 7,100 Officers, 18,124 Marshals and over 11,000 Special Marshals have been deployed to cover all the identified areas across the country.

“Management Staff, Zonal Commanding Officers, Sector Commanders, and other senior officers of the rank of Deputy Corps Commanders (DCC) in the National Headquarters as well as Corridor Commanders are also deployed to the Field Commands.

“This is to also ensure compliance with the operational guidelines issued at the beginning of the exercise,” he said.

According to him, 743 patrol vehicles, 184 administrative vehicles, 132 ambulances, 23 tow trucks and 144 motorbikes have been deployed as part of the patrol logistics.

“A number of extricating machines and digital breathalysers are part of the tools set aside for the special operations, in addition to 23 Help Areas and 15 traffic control camps,” he said.

Biu said that the Corps has also put in place a situation room at the National Headquarters to monitor the activities across the country.

These facilities are to collate and process information for dissemination to relevant commands and stakeholders as the case may be.

“This is in addition to the activation of 28 Road Traffic Crash Clinics and 46 Zebra points located along the major routes.

“These will be covered by 92 ambulances that would be fully utilised to respond promptly to cases of rescue and convey injured victims to hospitals for more professional attention,” he said.

The FRSC boss urged the entire community of road users to give the Corps maximum support and cooperation by complying with all safety measures.

The measures included abiding by all established traffic laws so that incidences of road traffic crashes could be drastically minimised,” he said.