Ember months: FRSC cautions motorists against speeding, night journey

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ondo State Command, has cautioned motorists in the state against speeding and night journey to avoid crashes on the highways during the yuletide.

FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mr Ezekiel SonAllah, gave the caution during the 2023 ‘Ember Months campaign flag-off, organised by the command at Ilesa motor park on Monday in Akure.

It was reported that the theme of the campaign was: “Speed Thrills But Kills”.

SonAllah said that the 2023 ember months campaign was a deliberate and conscious effort to stem the tide of prevalent crashes and their attendant injuries and fatalities due to increase in movement across the country.

He said that over 80 per cent of movement of persons, goods and services were done on land, hence all road users needed to shun anything that could lead to loss of lives and property on the highways.

According to him, the campaign will lead to increased presence of the command’s operatives for both patrol and rescue mission across the state.

“So, we need to change our attitude while on the wheel. We need to avoid drinking alcohol, smoking Indian hemp and overloading, among others.

“If we can also shun speeding, overload, night journeys and drive responsibly, definitely, we will contribute our quota to national growth and development.

“The increased number of crashes resulting from excessive speed is quite worrisome and calls for concerted efforts at curbing it.

“I, therefore, wish to appeal to all road users to obey traffic laws and drive safety into the New Year, as only the living celebrates,” he said.

The sector commander said that the Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu had approved the take-off of two area commands in Ikare-Akoko and Ore.

He said that Biu had also approved the take of four unit commands in Isua, Oka-Akoko, Ikaram and Ilara-Mokin to ensure adequate coverage of the state.

SonAllah said that the new area and unit commands had ensured the presence of the corps in all the nooks and crannies of the state, while the collaboration and support of stakeholders had remained unquantifiable.

He expressed appreciation to Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for provision of road infrastructure across the state, saying that the road projects had impacted positively on seamless traffic flow.

He particularly noted the ongoing construction of Onyarubulem junction interchange which, he said, would ease traffic flow in no small measures, when completed.

“The meaningful interventions contribute a great deal to making road travel experience a pleasure and for which we remain grateful to Mr Governor,” he said.

Chairman, Ondo State Park Management, Mr Jacob Adebo, reiterated the park’s commitment to joining hands with FRSC to achieve zero-tolerance to crashes in the state.

Adebo, who was represented by the park management’s Deputy Chairman, Mr Festus Obasoto, said that he would not entertain or encourage any night journey in the state.

“Our roads are not good and kidnappers are using bad spots as their target. So, night journey is not the best, for now.

“Our taskforce are moving round all the motor parks to checkmate in-take of alcohol and other illicit drugs,” he said.