By Ibironke Ariyo
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has called for collaboration with stakeholders for effective traffic management to reduce road accidents and promote safety on Nigerian roads.
Addressing journalists after the inauguration of a National Road Safety Advisory Council (NARSAC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday, FRSC Marshal Shehu Mohammed stressed the need for collective action.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NARSAC comprises six governors, key ministers and other stakeholders committed to reducing road deaths across the country.
Mohammed said the agency had launched a campaign in parking lots and public places to promote a safe driving culture across the country.
He said there was a need for transport workers and unions to come together to prevent road accidents and ensure safer travel at all costs.
According to him, road accidents have reduced but their number is still unacceptably high; Transport workers and unions must therefore step up awareness-raising and prevention initiatives.
“Passengers should not remain silent when a driver puts their lives in danger by violating traffic rules.
“If you see something, say something. Passengers can do a lot to reduce road accidents and save lives, but we have found that most of the time they remain silent.
“If you are in a bus or car and the driver is speeding up, you have a duty to raise your voice; but what we see is the opposite: passengers do not speak up.
“Sometimes other passengers even silence the person who raised the alarm. Too bad lives have not doubled. We all need to be proactive to ensure that road accidents are curbed.
“A change in attitudes is also crucial for road safety. “Transport unions must lead by example in preventing overloading and driving under the influence of alcohol,” he said.
The FRSC boss said the number of road accidents has been gradually and steadily declining over the past month, adding that the agency will continuously sensitize motorists on proper use of roads to reduce accidents.
“Even though we are observing a steady decline, road accidents and the number of injured remain at unacceptable levels.
There is still a lot of work to be done to raise awareness, promote awareness and improve infrastructure to stop this scourge called traffic accidents on our roads.
“We will periodically visit parking lots to discourage drivers from consuming alcohol or other substances that could affect their mood and psyche.
“We will also reach out to the grassroots to ask traditional rulers and community leaders to educate their people on measures to prevent road accidents,” he said.
The agency’s commissioner urged drivers, especially professional drivers, to obey traffic laws, avoid overloading and refrain from using the phone and other factors while driving that affect road safety in the country.
Addressing the newly formed council, Mohammed opined that NARSAC represents an important milestone in the management of road safety in Nigeria and paves the way for the rapid implementation of the Nigerian Road Safety Strategy (NRSS).
The FRSC boss, who is also secretary of the advisory body, described the strategy as the country’s response to the global call for safer roads and which aims to reduce the alarming number of road accidents and deaths in Nigeria.
“Essentially, the creation of NARSAC is a crucial step towards achieving the objectives of the NRSS, which include improving road construction standards, promoting non-motorized transport initiatives and strengthening the road safety framework.
“Thanks to the leadership of the Board of Directors, the FRSC can move closer to its vision and mission: safer roads and fewer deaths nationwide,” he said.
