By Ibironke Ariyo
The Road Safety Officers’ Wives Association (ROSOWA) has settled the medical bills of some road crash victims and donated relief materials to patients receiving treatment at a trauma centre in Abuja to ease their hardship.
This is part of activities to commemorate the 2026 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, with the theme “A light to Unite Us”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims takes place on the third Sunday in November every year.
Speaking during a visit to the victims at the National Hospital on Saturday in Abuja, ROSOWA president, Dr Nafisat Shehu-Mohammed said that the association had settle some hospital bills for patients who could not afford their medical expenses.
“The gesture is intended to alleviate some of the difficulties faced by the patients and their families while undergoing treatment,”she said.
The ROSOWA president called on motorists to demonstrate compassion towards road crash victims.
Shehu-Mohammed urged them to avoid drunk driving and ensure that injured persons receive prompt medical attention rather than abandoning them at accident scenes.
She said the visit, which was replicated across the federation, was aimed at identifying with people affected by road crashes, particularly those receiving treatment and families who had lost loved ones.
“The initiative is also an opportunity to demonstrate compassion and provide support to victims and their families, reassuring them that they were not alone in their difficult circumstances,”he said.
Shehu-Mohammed said the association was guided by the theme, “A Light to Unite Us,” and the decade’s call to “Support, Remember and Act,”.
She said that the theme emphasised the need for collective action and solidarity with people affected by road traffic crashes.
The ROSOWA president called on drivers involved in crashes to develop a sense of responsibility by stopping to assist victims instead of fleeing accident scenes.
“If you hit someone, don’t run.
Have a conscience and ensure that the person you hit is taken to the hospital so that their life is not cut short,” she said.
Shehu-Mohammed further cautioned motorists against driving under the influence of alcohol, urging them to avoid the habit and ensure adequate rest before embarking on journeys.
“Motorists must recognise that responsible driving and consideration for other road users are essential to creating a safer motoring environment and ensuring that travellers return safely to their families,”she said.
Speaking on road safety during the Ember Months, she stressed that safety was a shared responsibility that required the commitment of everyone using the roads.
She listed pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and motorcyclists among those who must prioritise safety and comply with traffic regulations.
She also urged road users to wear appropriate safety gear, including reflective jackets where required, while advising parents and guardians to ensure that children were transported in appropriate child restraint systems.
The ROSOWA president particularly cautioned against allowing underage children to sit in the front seat of vehicles, stressing the need to provide safer travelling conditions for them.
On the humanitarian support provided during the visit, she said
the association donated detergents, tissue papers, consumables and cash gifts to support patients among others.
