Shun speeding, wrongful overtaking to avoid crashes — FRSC tells drivers

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ondo State Command, has called on drivers to shun speeding and wrongful overtaking to avoid crashes on the road.

Dr Samuel Ibitoye, FRSC State Sector Commander, made the call on Wednesday during a sensitisation organised by the command for drivers at Oloko park in Akure.

Ibitoye said the sensitisation was to remind drivers of what to do and not on the roads, because they needed to imbibe the driving culture to avoid crashes, especially on highways.

“Speeding has been a major cause of death on Nigerian roads. We must not overspeed or overtake wrongly, and we must install speed limit devices for our safety and the passengers,” he said.

The sector commander called on the public to work with the FRSC to reduce the rate of crashes on the roads.

According to him, Nigeria can become a normal clime where people obey traffic rules and regulations.

“We are out to change the attitude of the people, we want to change the behavior of the people so that at the end of the day we have safer roads.

“When we have a bus conveying 18 passengers from 18 different families, if anything happens on the road, you know that the 18 families are primarily affected, and they have dependants.

“So, you can see the multiplying effect controlled by the commercial drivers, the consequence is very collosal and it affects everybody, it affects the economy, families, businesses, it affects everyone.

“When you are driving, you must know that you have a role to play as drivers you have a role to play as passengers, and you have a role to play as pedestrians.

“Because when you play your role and I play my role, then the road will be safer and you can move from point A to point B without fear of crashes.

“Though, there is sanction for any erring driver, the sanction is not the real thing we want, but we want them to imbibe road safety, we want them to be cautious and drive moderately,” he said.

Responding, Mr Tajudeen Kareem, State Deputy Secretary of Road Transport Employer Association of Nigeria (RETAN), Ondo State Chapter, applauded the FRSC for the enlightenment.

Kareem, who admonished drivers to always abide by the traffic rules and regulations, said that the enlightenment would go a long way in changing the driver’s attitude against reckless driving.

“We must caution ourselves while on the wheel and those who have not installed speed limit device should do it for the betterment of their lives and the passengers as well,” he said.