The Federal Road Safety Commission’s (FRSC) Akwa Ibom State Command launched its 2023 ember months campaign on Thursday, warning drivers of the consequences of breaking the law, particularly during the holiday season.
Speaking at the event held at the Itam short-distance motor park in Uyo, the state capital, FRSC Corps Marshall Mr. Dauda Biu issued a warning against overloading and overspeeding, noting that commercial drivers who are always guilty of such should desist immediately as such put the lives and property of passengers 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,” said Biu, who was represented by Mr. Ogbonna Okwara, the Deputy Sector Commander for Rivers State.
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“In light of this, drivers should observe the posted speed limit, exercise caution to prevent reckless driving, and perform routine maintenance on their cars before putting them on the road.”
Earlier, Deputy Corps Marshall Philip Ayodele on behalf of Akwa Ibom State Sector Commander Matthew Olonisaye pledged that the corps would guarantee drivers’ complete adherence to traffic laws and regulations.
He states, “The Corps deploys this awareness strategy to enlighten the motoring public on the destructive consequences of road traffic crashes to enable the achievement of FRSC 2023 Corporate Strategic Goal of 5% reduction in road traffic deaths and injuries. The Corps is aware of the incessant crashes chronicled in the ember months, which are typically orchestrated by the recalcitrant attitude of some road users during the period.”
It is important to highlight that the command is prepared to work proactively to increase the state’s traffic safety. The driving public is urged to refrain from actions that could threaten other drivers’ lives or property. Following traffic laws and regulations should be the driving public’s top priority. Drivers are cautioned against speeding excessively, using a phone while operating a vehicle, and travelling against the flow of traffic due to the potentially harmful consequences.
The State Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO), Mr. Joseph Ebong, on behalf of State Governor Pastor Umo Eno, declared the campaign open and gave the public advice to follow traffic laws and regulations and to never view FRSC officers as adversaries while they are on duty.
