Festive season road safety: Ikotun FRSC warns against reckless driving

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

As the Ember Months draw near, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ikotun Unit, has launched a comprehensive community campaign to promote road safety and combat reckless driving.

Chief Route Commander (CRC) Emma Ekwo, head of the FRSC Ikotun Unit, announced the campaign under the theme: “Speak Up Against Dangerous Driving: Crashes Kill More Passengers Than Drivers”.

Some of the dispatch riders that participate at the sensitization campaign at Ikorun

The initiative aims to educate road users about adopting safer driving practices during the high-risk Ember Months (September to December), a period marked by increased road traffic and accidents.

The campaign launch was attended by notable stakeholders, including SP Grace Ogbonoko, Divisional Traffic Officer, Ikotun Police Division; Com. Sunday Ojo Ogunleye, Auditor of Lagos State NURTW; Com. Mrs. Kemisinuola Ogunbayo, NURTW Women Leader; SC Anayo Uchegbulam of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other community leaders and union members.

By fostering community involvement and raising awareness, the FRSC hopes to reduce road crashes and ensure safer travels during the Ember Months.

CRC Ekwo

CRC Ekwo highlighted the seasonal surge in vehicular and human movement during the festive period as a primary factor in the spike in road crashes, emphasizing the importance of public awareness to reverse this trend.

Deputy Corps Commander (DCC) Sikiru Aduloju, Area Commander of FRSC Badagry Division, reinforced the message, calling for a collective effort to enhance road safety. “Road safety is a shared responsibility. We must all speak up against dangerous driving practices that put lives at risk,” he stated.

The FRSC has outlined a series of activities to promote road safety during the Ember Months, including public awareness campaigns, street dramas, and workshops. These efforts are supported by collaborations with transport unions, religious organizations, and community leaders to ensure the message reaches diverse audiences.

Key messages of the campaign include: The importance of wearing seat belts and ensuring all passengers are secured.

The dangers of speeding, reckless driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Encouraging drivers to exercise caution and patience, especially during peak travel times.

Urging passengers to report incidents of reckless driving to the FRSC or relevant authorities.

The FRSC called on all road users to actively participate in promoting road safety, emphasizing that reporting dangerous driving practices can save lives and foster a culture of responsible road use.

The Executive Chairman of the Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area, Com. Lasisi Ayinde Akinsanya, commended the FRSC Ikotun Unit for their tireless efforts in safeguarding lives within the council.

The event started with an early morning roadshow of Ikotun FRSC Unit team in a motorcade of dispatch riders and other vehicles and van mounted public address system enlightening the public on the dangers of reckless driving at ember Months.

The motorcade traversed kilometers in the Ikotun/Igando area from the popular Ikotun roundabout through Ikotun-Idimu road, to Igando road, en route Governor’s Road in Ikotun with just same message of, “Speak Up Against Dangerous Driving: Crashes Kill More Passengers Than Drivers”.

Participants were drawn from National Union of Road Transport Workers(NURTW), special marshals, security agencies and general public.