The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun State, in collaboration with the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs on Wednesday launched a road safety awareness campaign focused on reducing road accidents during the “ember” months, a period traditionally associated with an increase in road accidents.
The campaign specifically targets market women and young people, emphasizing the importance of vigilance among passengers and adherence to traffic rules among drivers.
The Ogun State FRSC Sector Commander, Corps Commander Akinwumi Fasakin while addressing newsmen stressed that passengers, especially market women, are often the primary victims in road crashes, more so than drivers.
Commander Fasakin explained that the campaign aimed to dispel myths around the perceived dangers of the ember months, encouraging passengers to be proactive in ensuring their own safety.
"We want passengers to realize their responsibility in speaking up if they notice a driver is behaving dangerously," he said.
Fasakin advised drivers to exercise caution and reminded them of their responsibility to safeguard the lives of their passengers by obeying speed limits, avoiding overloading, abstaining from alcohol, using seat belts, and avoiding distractions like mobile phones.
He also urged motorcycle riders, commonly known as okada riders, to drive carefully and avoid reckless behaviours.
In her address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs in Ogun State
Hon. Adijat Adeleye, expressed the Ministry’s support for the FRSC's efforts, emphasizing the importance of passenger awareness in preventing road accidents.
"We all know how drivers and okada riders tend to act during the ember months. Some aim to earn more money than they did throughout the year, leading to risky behaviours," she said.
Adeleye advised passengers to take immediate action if they feel unsafe, urging them to ask drivers to slow down or, if necessary, exit the vehicle.
"If you are on a bike that is speeding too much don't mind whatever you have paid to the bike , stop the bike and get down, whatever money you have paid or you feel you're losing cannot buy your life, this life is just one, when it comes to an end that's the end , there's no replica anywhere."
