FRSC warns politicians against reckless driving during campaigns

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has urged politicians and party supporters to avoid reckless driving, excessive speed and dangerous overloading during political campaigns.

Mr Samson Kaura, FRSC Sector Commander in Gombe State, made the call in an interview with our reporter in Gombe.

Kaura said the appeal was necessary to promote safe driving and responsible road use throughout the campaign period.

He urged political parties, candidates and supporters to comply strictly with traffic regulations to prevent endangering other road users.

According to him, reckless driving and excessive speed during campaigns could result in road crashes, injuries and loss of lives.

“Now that the campaigns have started, we call on political parties to ensure their drivers and campaign trains obey all road-use rules,” he said.

Kaura urged political stakeholders to sensitise their drivers, particularly against speeding in built-up areas where children and animals could cross roads.

“My advice to political stakeholders is that they should ensure that all their drivers are sensitised to avoid speeding, especially in built-up areas,” he said.

He said caution was particularly important around areas where children or animals might cross roads, to prevent avoidable casualties.

“We therefore call on you that whenever you are going for campaigns, ensure you obey all traffic laws and do not put members of public at risk,” he said.

Kaura said members of the public had the right to use roads safely, regardless of political activities taking place around them.

“It is expected that whoever you are or whatever party you belong to, you should obey rules and regulations,” he said.

He urged campaign participants to avoid actions capable of threatening their safety or that of other road users.

The sector commander also warned political parties and other motorists against substance abuse while driving, describing it as dangerous and unlawful.

“We are totally against substance abuse by drivers, not just for political parties but for every road user,” Kaura said.

He said using substances capable of influencing a driver’s behaviour could impair safe driving and increase the likelihood of road crashes.

“Substance abuse impairs vision and reduces the level of reasoning, which increases the chances of road crashes,” he said.

Kaura warned that drivers caught abusing substances while on the road would face the consequences prescribed by law.

He said the FRSC had commenced sensitisation of political stakeholders in Gombe State to promote responsible driving throughout the campaign period.

Kaura also urged political parties to educate their drivers and ensure that only properly licensed drivers were allowed to operate campaign vehicles.

He further cautioned against overloading, particularly when supporters climbed onto vehicles or were packed beyond their safe capacity.

“Overloading will only increase the number of casualties in cases of crashes, and that is why we are saying no to overloading,” he said.