By Our Correspondent
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Apapa Unit Command in Lagos, has advised motorists to avoid unrealistic year-end targets to avoid unnecessary pressure.
Kaleson Makanto, the Unit Commander, gave the advice on Thursday at a one-day sensitisation workshop for drivers and fleet operators in Lagos.
TheNewsZenith reports that the workshop’s theme is: “Improving Safety on the Roads”.
The FRSC organised the workshop in conjunction with the Amuwo Odofin Local Government.
As the year is ending, Makanto remarked that a series of activities would lead to high traffic volumes on highways, leading to drivers’ recklessness.
According to him, the desire for quick earnings from multiple return trips and reckless driving will give rise to more Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs).
This cannot be without injuries and fatalities.
“The FRSC and Amuwo Odofin Local Government are concerned about the safety of its natives, residents and road users.
“Hence we organised this gathering as a call for a collective effort to stop this menace,” she said.
Reflecting on figures of crashes in the first quarter of 2024, Makanto said that FRSC recorded 2662 RTCs between Januanry and March of 2024.
“This indicates a 2.02 per cent reduction compared with 2,733 in the comparative period of 2023.
“Of all crashes, serious cases were highest in the first quarter with 1,715 compared to fatal and minor cases with 693 and 254 respectively.
“A total of 1,169 males died in the first quarter of 2024, accounting for 79.50 per cent of 1,471 persons killed, compared to 302 (20.50 per cent) females killed.
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“Also, 6,749 males sustained injuries during the period, indicating 77.90 per cent of 8,659 injured persons compared to 1,910 (22.10 per cent) females injured.
“Similarly, 3,952 vehicles were involved in road crashes in the period under review.
“This figure is lower, compared to the previous quarter with 4,195 vehicles. It indicates a 5.80 per cent reduction,” she said.
She urged Nigerians to be safety conscious by obeying traffic rules and regulations and avoid use of alcohol and drugs while driving.
also speaking, Mr Valentine Buraimo, the Chairman Amuwo Oshodi Local Government, advised drivers to ensure safety of motorists.
“Loss of lives cannot be replaced. So, we must adhere to everything that will protect lives and property.
“We must think and dream safety at all times because safety consciousness will ensure lives are not lost.
“It is wrong to be receiving and taking a call while driving,” TheNewsZenith quoted Braimo as saying.
Mrs Ijeoma Muokeme, Assistant Commander Narcotics of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Festac Area Command was also in attendance.
Muokeme urged fleet operators to ensure drug test were done on drivers before recruiting them.
She spoke on the topic “Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Drug Use”. The anti-drug officer stressed the importance of test on drivers to avoid accident.
“Driving under the influence of alcohol has negative effect on the driver. It makes one to take risky behaviours,” she said.
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