FRSC - FRSC Flags-Off Operation Eid-El-Fitri

[FRSC]

Further to its resolve to ensure sanity on the highways, especially during the festive seasons, the Federal Road Safety Corps has commenced a nationwide special patrol tagged 'Operation Eid-el-Fitri' slated for 6 – 11 August, 2013.

This exercise which is pursuant to the Corps' 2013 strategic goals of reducing road crashes by 20% and fatalities by 30% at the end of the year, is also designed to address the perennial rise in the violation of traffic rules and regulations especially during festive season,.

According to the Corps Public Education Officer, Corps Commander Jonas Agwu, "the intensive special patrol is aimed at addressing the spate of avoidable road crashes usually associated with the surge of human and vehicular traffic across the country and is an all inclusive exercise which will witness intensive patrols, prompt rescue services, strict enforcement of traffic rules and robust public enlightenment campaigns across the nation".

Details of the objectives of this special exercise include the removal of obstructions from the highways, traffic control/decongestion, public enlightenment campaigns through the distribution of safety handbills and other forms of awareness campaign in addition to strict enforcement of road traffic regulation infractions such as use of cell phone while driving, overloading, dangerous driving/overtaking, speed limit violation, light sign violation, number plate/driver's license violations and other road vices, he noted.

Consequent upon this, the Corps has embarked on a massive deployment of personnel, patrol vehicles, motor bikes, tow trucks and ambulances along designated corridors and black spots such as Yangoji, Lokoja, Lagos, Benin, Ore, Akwanga, Jos, Mokwa, Bida, Potiskum, Bauchi, Lafia, Makurdi, 9^th mile, Asaba, Onitsha, Kaduna and Kano in addition to the establishment of mobile courts at specific locations across the country for quick dispensation with road traffic offences.

Speaking further on the Sallah special patrol, Commander Agwu said that the nationwide exercise ' forms part of the Corps' sustained efforts to build a consistent tradition of enforcing traffic rules and regulations throughout the year to avoid a one-off approach to road safety management in Nigeria'.

He added "the 2013 Sallah patrol signifies the intension of the Corps to do all within its powers to ensure that zero road crash, injury and death are recorded throughout the period of the yuletide".

According to the Agwu, 'road traffic crashes are avoidable and only compliance with best practices of road use will guaranty the safety of all road users'.

Against this backdrop, motorists are hereby warned to ensure strict compliance with all traffic rules and regulations and proper maintenance of vehicles which ply the highways as there will be no waiver for any traffic violations.

In the same vein, commuters (passengers) are enjoined to monitor their drivers and to employ subtle approach to call them (drivers) to order in the face of any form of reckless driving as any form of complacency may result to grave consequences.

Via: Federal Road Safety Commission [FRSC] - Official Press Release