The event, which held at the Kuto Motor Park in Abeokuta, had as its theme: “Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving.” It featured a sensitization programme and a town hall meeting attended by representatives of transport unions, security agencies, and traditional institutions.
Speaking at the event, the Ogun State FRSC Sector Commander, Corps Commander Akinwunmi Fasakin, said the campaign is an annual initiative aimed at reducing road crashes, particularly during the last quarter of the year.
“This year’s theme , take responsibility for your safety and avoid distractions, is very important because distractions have caused many road traffic crashes in Nigeria.
“Statistics have also shown that people often fail to take responsibility. That’s why we are emphasizing that safety must be in your hands. The safety of your passengers, and indeed, the safety of all Nigerians on the roads.”
He stressed that the Corps is working towards achieving zero fatalities during Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) this year.
Fasakin also lamented the menace of overloading, describing it as a major cause of accidents.
“We discovered that most overloaded vehicles move at night, so we have introduced night patrol operations in Ogun State to curb the practice, and it is already yielding positive results,” he added.
The Sector Commander maintained that motorists should endeavour to follow traffic rules at all times, avoid any distractions during driving, be it texting on the phone, eating and others.
According to him, " human factors are a major factor in the vehicular movement of traffic, this year we are taking responsibility for your safety, with the theme, Stop Distracting Driving and it has always been that each and every one of us must take safety driving responsibility.
" It is not something that you can leave to the government alone because the government is an institution, and at the same time, we are the ones in danger."
“Take responsibility for yourself, for your personal safety on our roads. We shouldn't see it as obeying traffic rules and regulations as satisfying the government, we want to see it as personal responsibility.
“So, if we can have the same attitude to security, we must have the same attitude to driving. Any activities that will take drivers off the road should not be allowed".
In his remarks, the Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers(NURTW) Kuto Motor Park, Comrade Abolade Taiwo, commended the FRSC for the sensitization exercise, noting that it complemented efforts already being made by the union to promote safety among drivers.
“As a leader, I constantly engage with our drivers on safety matters, but what FRSC has done today adds more value.
“We also monitor our drivers’ behaviour, especially regarding speed, and in this park, we do not allow overloading. My advice to drivers is to avoid drinking while driving and to remember that there’s no difference between Ember months and other months ,safety should always come first.”
Also speaking, the Narcotics Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Tijani Rabiu, represented by Assistant Commandant of Narcotics, Yusuf Serifat, identified alcohol and drug consumption as major causes of accidents, urging motorists to shun drug abuse.
He emphasized the need for synergy among security agencies to eradicate the menace.
In his goodwill message, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, represented by Chief Ayinla Oke, described the Ember months as a period that often triggers unnecessary anxiety.
“All months are the same from January to December. Motorists must cultivate caution and discipline behind the wheel. It is unfortunate that many people do not appreciate the sacrifices of the FRSC personnel, who risk their lives daily to ensure road safety.
“The Corps should be better empowered and equipped by the Federal Government to perform its duties effectively.”
Also, the Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ogun State, Ajala Kolawole, urged motorists to always wear seat belts and adhere to traffic rules and regulations at all times.
