FRSC takes Ember Months campaign to grassroots in Oyo
By Olatunde Ajayi
The Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), Oyo Sector Command took its 2024 ember months campaign against dangerous driving to Oluyole Local Government Area of the state.
The town hall meeting which had in attendance the drivers unions, religious and market leaders, youth groups, security agencies and other critical stakeholders was aimed at sensitising the public to speak up against drivers misconducts on the road.
The FRSC Sector Commander in Oyo State, Mrs Rosemary Alo, in her remarks, noted that passengers have the rights not to be injured, killed, harassed, or have their rights violated while on transit.
Alo disclosed that the theme of the 2024 campaign: “Speak-up Against Dangerous Driving; Crashes Kill More Passengers than Drivers,” was to advocate the rights of passengers to speak up against drivers’ negative attitude.
She added that the town hall meeting was part of FRSC’s public education strategies to engage passengers and encourage them to assert their rights, thereby curbing drivers’ excesses.
“The core of this approach is the alarming number of road traffic crashes in Nigeria, which claim many lives. While various factors contributing to these crashes are driver’s behaviour and passengers’ indifference to reckless driving.
“We are focusing on re-educating passengers and helping them understand their rights to speak up against dangerous driving and report reckless drivers when necessary, “she said.
On his part, the Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Mr Akeem Olatunji, expressed the council’s readiness to build on existing synergy with the corps, Park Management System(PMS) and other security outfits within the council area.
He urged drivers to avoid drinking while driving, adding that “driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol could lead to loss of life and properties,”
Also, the Chairman of Park Management System in the state, Mr Tomiwa Omolewa, warned drivers against planning multiple trips during festivities, noting that fatigue from multiple journeys could lead both driver and passengers to their early graves.
The chairman who was represented by PMS motorcycle branch chairman, Mr Saheed Omo-owo, urged the drivers to always obey traffic rules and be civil in their conduct with passengers.
The event featured lecture and safety tips from representative of various government security agencies, special marshall and National Orientation Agency (NOA) among others.
