The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has urged road users to make safety a personal responsibility and work towards a crash-free national holiday.
This contained in a statement by the corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Osondu Ohaeri, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Abuja on Friday.
Ohaeri said that the corps marshal gave the advice in a goodwill message to Nigerians on the celebration of the Democracy Day.
Mohammed tasked citizens to ensure that the joyous atmosphere of the national holiday was not marred by preventable road crashes.
He noted that democracy day, like other major public holidays, traditionally witnessed increased movement of people and vehicles across the country as citizens travel to celebrate with families, friends and loved ones.
He also noted that the surge in traffic often came with heightened risks arising from speeding, dangerous driving, disregard for traffic regulations and other unsafe road behaviours.
The corps marshal while acknowledging that Nigerians have every reason to celebrate the nation’s democratic journey, however said such celebrations must be carried out with a deep sense of responsibility, caution and respect for the lives of fellow road users.
“No celebration is worth a single life. The true essence of democracy day can only be enjoyed when citizens return safely to their homes and loved ones.
“We must therefore reject all forms of reckless driving and embrace a culture of patience, discipline and consideration on our roads,” he said.
The FRSC boss further urged motorists to obey all traffic rules and regulations, avoid excessive speed, dangerous overtaking, driving against traffic, overloading and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
He also appealed to passengers to speak up whenever drivers engaged in unsafe practices capable of endangering lives.
Mohammed emphasised that safety was a collective responsibility, noting that roads were shared spaces where every action taken by one user could significantly affect the safety and wellbeing of others.
“As we celebrate 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, let us equally demonstrate our commitment to protecting lives through responsible road use.
Let us make safety our watchword and ensure that every journey ends in peace,” he emphasised.
The corps marshal reassured the public of the FRSC commitment to ensuring safer roads through strategic patrol operations, traffic management and emergency response services throughout the holiday period and beyond.
He congratulated Nigerians on the nation’s remarkable milestone, and wished all a peaceful, memorable and crash-free celebration.
