The Federal Road Safety Corps on Tuesday, flagged off operation zero crashes in Enugu State, calling on motorists to accommodate other road users and drive at controlled speed this yuletide.
FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, who flagged off the exercise with the theme: ‘Maintain Safe Speed, Avoid Night Travels and Enjoy Quality Road Experience,’
urged motorists to fix faults in their vehicles to avoid any breakdown on the way and causing traffic jams for other road users.
Represented by Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Zone 9, Mr Francis Udoma, the Corps Marshal said his men and its stakeholders will be in every nook and cranny of the country virtually 24 hours to attend to every road issue, be its traffic control, road emergencies and healthcare.
“I will want to use this avenue to appeal to travellers on public transport to join vehicles at designated parks and not along the road as well as duly fill their passengers’ manifest for security and safety reasons.
“Plan your journey ahead of time and leave early on the day of the journey in order to arrive early to your destination. Since you have left early, you will better manage any unforeseen circumstances on the way.
“If it is possible and at your disposal, please avoid night travels and use the night hours to have a rest from the daily running around,” he said.
Oyeyemi, however, urged those that recently bought vehicles and learnt to drive newly to hire a time-tested driver to convey them to distant destinations so that they do not fall victim to road crashes due to road fright.
Speaking, the Sector Commander of FRSC Enugu State Command, Joseph Udoabba, said that his command had put all measures in place to ensure citizens especially motorists have a positive and quality road experience this yuletide.
Udoabba said that the command had got the consent of all sister security agencies and specialized departments to ensure there are enough men and backup to ensure the success of the operation.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility. We want all to get involved so that we will continue to reduce crashes on our roads to the barest minimum,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Lawal Abubakar, urged motorists and drivers to ensure that they are in good health and take enough rest before embarking on a long journey.
Abubakar, who was represented by CSP Nath Omeje, said, “The police will continue to support the FRSC to ensure that no life is lost this season and Nigerians travel safely and return back to their stations”.
Head of Department, Planning, Research and Forecasting of the National Emergency Management Agency, Nnanyelugo Ezeani, assured the FRSC of the agency’s support for prompt emergency responses.
“We appreciate the FRSC for this well-fashioned operation meant to reduce carnage on the roads and save lives,” Ezeani said.
PUNCH.