By Ibironke Ariyo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has called on Nigerian youths to take the lead in championing safer roads across the country.

The FCT Sector Commander, Mr Felix Theman, made the call in Abuja, at the 2025 Road Safety Hangout, to commemorate the United Nations International Youth Week.

The theme of this year’s event is: Safer Roads, Brighter Future; Youth Leading the Change.

According to the sector commander, the event is in line with the UN International Youth Week theme: “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond”.

Theman stressed that the  active participation of the youths, their discipline and commitment, were crucial to achieving a brighter and safer future for the country.

He added  that the hangout was designed to celebrate the energy and potential of young people and their critical role in shaping a safer and more sustainable nation.

“The road to progress is not just paved with good intentions, but with active participation, responsibility and the courage to act.

“Our youth are not mere passengers on this journey.

“They are the drivers steering us toward the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those linked to safety, health and sustainable cities,” he said.

The sector commander said that empowering young people with road safety knowledge and leadership opportunities was an investment with lifelong dividends.

He urged youths to adopt responsible driving habits, embrace technology for safer mobility, engage in peer-to-peer education and champion community safety initiatives.

“Today’s hangout is more than a celebration. It is a call to action. Let us share ideas, learn from one another and commit to practical steps that will make our roads safer for all,” he said.

Theman expressed concern over the unsafe driving behaviours of some young road users, including commercial motorcycle riders, tricycle operators, ride-hailing drivers, bus and taxi operators, private vehicle owners  and truck drivers.

He added that statistics had shown high fatality rates among young drivers and the dangers posed to other road users, by risky driving practices.

“It is possible for young people to display the highest level of discipline. It is possible to obey the speed limit, ignore calls while driving, drive responsibly and change the narrative,” he said.

He further stressed that safe driving culture would cost nothing, but rather, yield enormous gains and, therefore, urged the youth to be agents of change on all issues affecting the nation.

He commended the Ministry of Youth Development, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), representatives of religious organisations and youth groups, for supporting the initiative.

Theman challenged the youths to approach life with wisdom, patience, dignity and discipline, alongside their aspirations, to develop a saner society as was obtained in other advanced nations.

Highlighting challenges facing road users in the FCT, he listed impatience, disobedience of traffic lights, driving against traffic (one-way) and use of handsets while driving.

He also mentioned overloading, illegal and unsafe parking, use of unpainted taxis, speeding and failure to use pedestrian bridges as major concerns.

“Such infractions often lead to needless gridlocks, crashes, injuries and fatalities,” he emphasised.

Theman disclosed that the FRSC had stepped up enforcement through increased mobile court sessions, targeting recurring offences.

He said that the last session led to the arrest of over 250 drivers and riders for more than 550 offences, with penalties including 14-day community service, driver’s licence suspension and prescribed fines to deter others.

He noted that the FRSC valued its relationship with the youths, adding that the corps itself started with a youth-driven foundation.

“We cherish our youth because the FRSC itself started off with the youths and we believe together, we can do better and build an enduring culture of safety,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Maureen Atuonwu