Yuletide: FRSC deploys 519 personnel to ensure safety on A’Ibom roads

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Akwa Ibom State Sector Command has deployed 519 personnel across the state to ensure safety on the roads during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The Sector Commander in the state, Mr Matthew Olonisaye, said this in a statement issued in Uyo and made available to newsmen on Thursday.

According to him, 305 regular marshals and 214 special marshals has been deployed across the 31 Local Government Areas to ensure zero road crash during the period.

Olonisaye asked drivers and other road users to celebrate with caution and avoid speeding, noting that only when one is alive that they will have the privilege to celebrate.

He stated that the command has mounted aggressive public enlightenment campaigns at all motor parks and garages to urge drivers to adhere to road safety rules and regulations.

He said that safety awareness campaigns have also been mounted at churches, mosques, markets, schools, and roadshows to sensitise the public on the need to ensure safety while using the road.

“We wish to alert the motoring public on the perceived road hazards associated with yuletide periods characterised by increased vehicular movement and human traffic, as individuals travel for one event or another both within and outside the state.

“The command hereby warns all road users to desist from any act capable of exposing them to traffic risks during this period. All are enjoined to obey traffic rules and regulations to avoid the occurrence of road traffic crashes.

“A total of 519 personnel of Akwa Ibom State Sector Command have been deployed at different routes to ensure free flow of traffic, clearing of obstructions and full enforcement on traffic infractions within the period. 

“Critical offences such as speeding, dangerous driving, overloading, route violation, lane indiscipline, use of phone while driving, drunk driving will not be tolerated,” Olonisaye said.

The sector commander said the corps would make use of breathalysers to detect drunk driving for appropriate penalties.

He appealed to drivers to ensure that they keep their vehicles in roadworthy condition, use good quality tyres, avoid overloading, night trips, use of alcohol and excessive speed, stressing that speed kills.

“Road users should understand that celebration is tied to life. It is only when one is alive that he can have the privilege to celebrate,” he said.

The sector commander appealed to drivers and all road users to ensure total obedience to rules and regulations while using the roads, adding that Mobile Court would be put in place to ensure strict compliance.