Harmattan haze: FRSC urges motorists to drive carefully with headlamps

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has urged drivers to always ensure that their headlamps are on, especially in the morning when harmattan haze affects visibility.

The Akwa Ibom Sector Commander of FRSC, Mr Matthew Olonisaye, gave the advice in a statement issued in Uyo and made available to newsmen on Thursday.

Olonisaye reminded drivers and all road users that life has no duplicate and that speed thrills, but it kills, stressing that adequate attention and care must be taken while using the roads.

“Life has no duplicate or spare parts, once it is snuffed out of an individual, it is gone forever!

Why being complacent and pay little or no attention to the issues of road safety?

“We must strive to consciously protect and safeguard our lives, especially while using the roads, realising that our family members, friends and well-wishers eagerly wait to receive and welcome us back home alive,” Olonisaye said.

Olonisaye called on all motorists and other road users to apply caution while using the roads, especially during this season when the roads are witnessing a high volume of human and vehicular movement.”

Road Safety is a shared responsibility, hence, it is required all to be in alignment with a safe system approach to road safety which seeks to ensure a safe transport system for all road users.

“To reduce the incidences of road traffic crashes, road users are therefore advised to cultivate the inclination of being patient, to the effect that the spirit of speeding will be conquered with its enormous dangers.

“Obey applicable speed limits or at best apply common sense speed limit. Avoid nighttime driving, but when it is early hours of the day, lower beams and keep your headlamps properly adjusted and focused.

“Avoid looking directly into the lights of oncoming vehicles, and slow down when facing glare from headlights.”Use of unsafe tyres should be avoided; use of expired, worn-out, tokunbo tyres is dangerous and as such, may destroy your life if care is not taken,” he said.

The sector commander appreciates the efforts of all, who contributed towards making the roads safe during the festive period and implored all motorists to remain active by observing traffic rules and regulations.