Akpan Umoh, Uyo
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has cautioned motorists in Akwa Ibom State against reckless driving and instead, maintain the prescribed speed limit while on the highways to ensure the safety of road users in the forthcoming yuletide season.
The Zonal Commanding Officer, Assistant Corps Marshall, Jonathan Owoede, gave the warning during the FRSC 2023 ember months flag-off campaign in Uyo on Friday.
Owoade, who was represented by the Deputy Corps Commander, Mr Ogbonna Okwara, said that it was an incorrect notion for motorists, particularly in the transport sector to use the period in maximising profit through overloading, thereby putting the lives of road users at risk.
“This is a wake-up call to remind everybody in society that we have to be careful because during this period there is usually an upsurge in the number of people and vehicles on the road.
“It is on this note that motorists should drive within the prescribed speed limit and they must be conscious enough to avoid reckless driving and also carry out maintenance on their vehicles, before putting them on the road,” Biu said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Akwa Ibom Sector Commander, Mr Matthew Olonisaye, said that the corps will pay strict attention to motorists’ compliance with traffic rules and regulations.
Olonisaye who was represented by Deputy Corps Commander, Mr Philip Ayodele, urged the motoring public to desist from acts capable of endangering the lives and property of road users during the period
“You are all aware that the Yuletide is one of the periods when Nigerians travel across the length and breadth of the country, especially the Christian faithful.
“The end of the year season provides opportunities for people to travel home for family reunions, meetings, festivals, and ceremonies, among others.
“Owing to this development, our roads have always witnessed high vehicular traffic congestion, gridlocks, road traffic crashes, and attendance loss of lives and property.
“The Corps being aware of the incessant crashes chronicled in the ember months, usually orchestrated by the recalcitrant attitude of some road users during the period, display this awareness strategy to enlighten the motoring public,” Olonisaye said.
The sector commander urged drivers and motorists to always begin their journeys on time to avoid unnecessary over speeding while traveling.
The Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO) in Akwa Ibom, Mr Joseph Ebong, advised the public to abide by the traffic rules and regulations and never to see FRSC officials as enemies while on duty.
Ebong urged motorists to always exercise patience and maintain peace while on the road to avoid unnecessary squabbles with fellow road users.