Ikotun FRSC calls for zero tolerance for reckless driving during ember months

By Ezurike Ugochukwu 

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), RS2.113 Ikotun Unit Command has called on road users to take responsibility for their safety to avoid road traffic crashes during the ember months and beyond.

Edor

The Unit Commander, Assistant Corps Commander Florence Edor, made the call at a road show, lecture, and sensitization program along Ikotun, Egbeda road of the unit to kick-start the 2025 Ember month public enlightenment campaign.

The campaign aimed at reducing road traffic crashes and promoting road safety among motorists and pedestrians. The campaign, themed “Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving,” highlights the importance of responsible driving and the dangers of distracted driving.

According to ACC Edor, road safety is a collective responsibility, and drivers must take responsibility for their actions on the road. She emphasized that distracted driving, including the use of mobile phones while driving is a major cause of road traffic crashes.

The FRSC under Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, she stated identified various forms of distracted driving to including cognitive, visual, and manual distractions, saying that cognitive distraction occurs when the driver’s mind is not focused on driving, while visual distraction occurs when the driver is not focused on the road ahead. Manual distraction, on the other hand, occurs when the driver takes their hands off the wheel for any reason.

She stated, “You will agree with me that of all the problems affecting us as a nation, road traffic crash is a dangerous malaise we can and must tackle quickly because it affects the future of our society. In one way or the other, each one of us may have lost someone to a road crash either directly or indirectly.

“Federal Road Safety Corps in Nigeria was created to address the chaotic, unpredictable and indeed dangerous traffic situation characterized by unprecedented wave of road traffic crashes with its attendant colossal human and material losses.

“Consequently, the Corps has come up with various interventions and initiatives geared towards ensuring safer use of roads for all. One of such initiative is the Ember Months Campaign Program which is a public enlightenment tool in reaching out to the motoring public, deliberately themed to address driver-related offences as overloading, driving under the influence and use of phones while driving with its attendant penalties.

The unit commander revealed that the FRSC was strategizing to ensure critical messages reach every commuter especially the intercity transporters including those along the highways, bus terminals and others. She commended the efforts and contributions of special marshals.

The campaign also featured a road show, sharing of flyers with FRSC messages and lecture, where participants were educated on the importance of road safety and the prevention of crashes occasioned by speeding. The FRSC also used the opportunity to sensitize commuters on the use of its mobile app to monitor the conduct of drivers.

Umweni

The Unit Head of Operations, CRC Godwin Umweni, while elaborating further on taking responsibility, advised mothers to strap their children who are below seven years old in a seat at the back seat to avoid distraction.

He also cautioned against allowing children below 12 years old to sit in the front seat. He additionally noted that commercial drivers engaging in disputes over fares and change as well as drivers collecting money, are all forms of distraction.

His Royal Majesty Oba Dr. Ibrahim Olosunkammi Lawal Bello, the Oba of Isheri Olofin Kingdom advised particularly youths to shun reckless and drunk driving. Stating that in thier capacity as traditional rulers, they will support FRSC in its sensitisation programme to save lives of people especially the youths.

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) through its representative Comrade Adesokun called on FRSC to deploy more to social media to reach youths with its programs.

The leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers(NURTW) in the area, Sunday Ogunleye, called on members to refrain from reckless and drunk driving, and to abide by safety rules. He warned that the union would expose any driver caught engaging in such behavior.

Grace

Other sister agencies, including the Nigerian Police Force(NPF), warned the public to be security-conscious during and after the ember month.

The National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), assured the FRSC of their collaboration. Notably, the NSCDC commended the FRSC for the apt theme, while the NDLEA urged drivers’ unions to discourage the sale of sachet alcohol in and around motor parks and the use of substances that intoxicate. The participants also condemned the practice of fixing stickers on vehicles and tricycle windshields.

One of the commercial drivers in attendance, Seraju Bello, who spoke to Nationupdate expressed satisfaction with this year’s enlightenment program, particularly on the dangers of distractions while driving, such as collecting money and arguing with passengers over change.

Sunday Ogunleye, NURTW

Bello, who plies the Ikotun to Iyani-Ipaja route, said, “Apart from drunk driving, another serious offense militating against our safety is arguing with passengers and drivers getting involved in collecting money in the vehicles and sorting out change for passengers. We will try as much as possible to avoid such.”

The programme attracted a mammoth crowd in the area, comprising taxi and other commercial drivers, youth associations, and community leaders.

The Unit Commander, Edor, accompanied by her team, led sister agencies and other participants in a long walk, led by power-bikes, along the road, distributing flyers inscribed with the message, “Take responsibility for your safety: Stop distracted driving.”