By Ibironke Ariyo
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has pledged to adopt a zero-tolerance stance against reckless drivers during and after the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.
The FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, made this known on Wednesday at a Sallah rally in Abuja, organised to sensitise road users to safe driving habits.
Mohammed also warned that all traffic offenders would face prosecution.
The Corp Marshall emphasised that the FRSC would strictly enforce laws against speeding, overloading, drunk driving, and other disruptive behaviours behind the wheel.
He, however, expressed concern about the national image projected through poor road culture, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs.
He criticised the trend of overloading vehicles, describing it as dangerous and unacceptable.
“Three in front, six at the back. it doesn’t speak well of us.
“This time around, we are not leaving any stone unturned. Any recalcitrant driver that we catch is going to face prosecution.
“Our crash analysis shows that over 70 per cent of road traffic crashes annually are caused by speeding,” he said.
Mohammed also advised drivers and passengers to take responsibility for safety.
“Abuja is the heart of Nigeria. If our roads are chaotic here, it sends the wrong message to the world.
“When visitors arrive, the first thing they notice is our driving culture,” he stated.
Mohammed also warned against destructive behaviours such as using phones, watching inappropriate content, or eating while driving.
“We don’t condone this anymore. We are going to enforce it strictly,” he said.
The FRSC boss called on the public, especially commuters, to speak up when their safety was threatened by reckless drivers.
He also appealed to the media to support FRSC’s sensitisation efforts, stressing that a crash-free Sallah was possible through cooperation, enforcement, and education.
“Passengers must stop being silent. It is their right to demand safe driving. Our prayer is that this Salah, we record no crash. We are committed to making that a reality,” he said.
Speaking, Mr Jibrin Uke, Zonal Chairman Karu, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), commended the FRSC for engaging drivers in safety education ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.
Uke expressed gratitude for the sensitisation exercise, describing it as timely and impactful.
He noted that the union often addresses safety concerns with members, adding that hearing the message directly from FRSC officials had a greater impact.
“We really appreciate the FRSC staff for their visit. They enlightened our drivers, and we are happy about that.
“Most times, our drivers don’t take us seriously when we talk to them. But with FRSC coming personally to educate them, they listened and understood better,” he said.
The union leader reaffirmed NURTW’s support for the FRSC’s campaign for safer roads and called on passengers to cooperate by obeying safety rules and cautioning reckless drivers. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Yakubu Uba
