The Sector Commander of Edo State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Cyril Mathew, has charged drivers and other road users on safety and maintaining discipline while on the road during this ember months.
He gave the charge during a town hall organised to mark the ember months campaign, with the theme “Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving”
He said: “The theme resonates deeply with all of us, as each day we navigate the roads, facing challenges, and make choices that can mean the difference between life and death”.
According to him, statistics show that the festive season sees an alarming spike in traffic violations, many of which stem from distractions while driving.
The Edo FRSC boss who listed the distractions to include, texting, talking on the phone, adjusting the radio, or engaging with passengers, noted that these distractions pose significant risks to not only the driver but everyone on the road.
Matthew noted that the ember months are synonymous with increased road traffic, and regrettably, road traffic crash.
He explained: “As road users, we have a shared responsibility to uphold the safety standards essential for a secure environment. When you’re behind the wheel,your sole focus must be on the road.”
He said we could significantly reduce the number of crashes,save lives, and make our roads safer not just during the festive season but throughout the year.
”As part of our compaign, we have conducted numerous educational and outreach programs, through press conference, worship places,motorcades rallies, and engaging with community members.We must work collaboratively as citizens to champion this cause” he said
On his part, the Edo State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, represented by his Chief of Staff, Gani Audu noted that the ember months period also brings a worrying rise in road traffic crashes, leading to injuries and a loss of life.
According to him, the message of the ember months campaign is that most road crashes are preventable, noting “they do not just happen, they are caused by several factors, and if they are causative, they can be stopped”.
He said one of the leading contributors to road traffic accidents is distracted driving.
”It has become increasingly common to see drivers making calls, replying text messages, screen through social media, eating, adjusting car control, and even engaging in e-tech conversation, while the vehicle is in motion.
He called on all road users, especially passengers and drivers to take responsibility for their own safety and for the safety of others on the road.
In their good will messages the State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbanika, represented by ASP Idemudia Madalin, assured the the FRSC of partnership in ensuring that the statistic of road traffic crashes are brought to the barest minimum in the state.
Other stakeholders such as Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Edo State Traffick Management Agency in their goodwill messages pledged to support the FRSC during the ember month period.
