By Chidi Ugwu
As year-end travel surges, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued a stern warning to passengers against boarding vehicles with compromised safety standards.
According to a statement signed by Olusegun Ogungbemide, the Assistant Corps Marshal ,
Corps Public Education Officer, following recent crashes in Kwara State, he emphasized the importance of vigilance regarding drivers’ behavior, particularly signs of recklessness or intoxication.
Passengers are encouraged to assess vehicle conditions and report unsafe practices to authorities.
The FRSC’s intensified advocacy aims to reduce road accidents during this busy season, urging all road users to prioritize safety and responsibility..
As end of the year travels keep gathering expected momentum making the roads busier than they were in the previous months, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has stepped up its advocacy and sensitisation campaigns as Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed urges commuters to be at alert and mindful of drivers who show signs of recklessness and drunkenness, before embarking or during their journeys.
This has become overly imperative in view of the recent crashes that occurred in Jebba, Kwara State on Thursday 26 December, 2024 and the other that happened on the Owo-Ikare route, before Ose bridge on 28 December, 2024.
Pursuant to this, the Corps Marshal has observed that the recorded road crashes occurred due to the negligence or recklessness of drivers and the inability of passengers to checkmate them, call them to order or even report them to FRSC or other security agencies along their routes.
To mitigate this risk of preventable crashes on the nation’s highways, commuters are advised to exercise caution when boarding vehicles, be aware of their surroundings and always ensure that their drivers are not under any influence before or during the trips.
While emphasizing that the safety of all road users is of utmost importance, the Corps Marshal, urged commuters to take responsibility for their safety. This effort is to support all the necessary interventions that the Corps has put in place.
He further highlighted some of the roles of the passengers which include but not limited to checking the driver’s behaviour and attitude before boarding, assessing the vehicle’s condition, including tires, brakes, and lights system.
By taking these simple precautions, the Corps Marshal believes that commuters can significantly reduce their risk of being involved in road crashes.
