By Ibironke Ariyo
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has devised a new strategy for the year 2024 ember months’ special patrol, shifting its focus from drivers to passengers and commuters in a bid to curb road crashes.
This was revealed by the corps’ Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
Mohammed said the theme of the 2024 Special Patrol “Speaking Out Against Dangerous Driving; Accidents Kill More Passengers Than Drivers”, aimed at promoting road safety among commuters and travellers.
He explained that the topic was chosen because more passengers than drivers die in accidents, thus highlighting the need for passengers to play an active role in promoting road safety.
The FRSC boss said the Corps had organised public meetings across the federation, bringing together stakeholders such as transport unions, parking associations and community leaders.
According to him, this is aimed at increasing awareness on road safety and creating a safer environment across the country.
According to him, this time, the strategies will focus more on passengers and travellers, with education, dissemination and promotional programmes aimed at spreading awareness of their rights and responsibilities.
“This year, we have developed a different strategy. This time, the focus is not only on drivers or the car park rally.
“We have realised that more passengers than drivers die in accidents, that is why we are now focusing on passengers and travellers.
“We want to empower them to report reckless driving and create awareness on road safety. We are using a multi-pronged approach to reach out to passengers and travellers.
“We are also using public education, sensitization and advocacy programmes to create awareness on road safety and their role in promoting it,” he said.
On the FRSC mobile application, the FRSC Corps Marshal said the application enables passengers to report reckless driving incidents and access road safety information.
Mohammed, however, stressed that the FRSC is committed to making Nigerian roads safer for all road users by aligning with global road safety practices.
He noted that the Corps is also supporting government, NGOs and the private sector in combating recklessness on the roads.
“Our mobile application is a one-stop shop for passengers to report incidents of reckless driving and access road safety information.
“We encourage all passengers to download the app and use it to promote road safety.
“The global trend now is to travel safely wherever you are and that is why the FRSC has aligned itself with global road safety practices.
“This is necessary so that together we can combat this reckless carnage on our roads and ensure that all who use them, not just road users, can enjoy Nigeria’s roads.
“Roads are for everyone and we will always be there to ensure that they are safer, good enough and free from carnage,” he said.
The Corps Marshal highlighted the economic benefits of reducing road accidents and said the loss of lives and injuries had a significant impact on the economy.
Mohammed stressed that the FRSC will continue to build on its successes and strive to make Nigerian roads safer and more enjoyable for all road users.
“By reducing the number of road accidents, we can also reduce the economic burden of road accidents and promote economic growth and development,” he said.
