To mitigate against crashes and fatalities on roads during Yuletide, the Lagos State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has urged commuters to speak up against dangerous driving.
The Corps Commander Kehinde Hamzat of the FRSC Sector Commander in Lagos State stated this on Thursday in Surulere at a Town Hall Meeting with stakeholders on Ember Months Sensitisation.
The town hall meeting, organised by RS2.116 Costain Unit Command, Surulere, was themed “Speak Up Against Dangerous Driving: Crashes Kill More Passengers than Drivers.”
The Commander, who was represented by DCC Sikiru Aduloju, the FRSC Area Commander, Badagry Area Command, said everyone, including commuters, must take responsibility for creating safer roads devoid of fatalities.
He noted that passengers are at a higher risk of losing their lives in Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) than drivers.
According to him, ignorance and complacency on the part of drivers and passengers respectively had contributed to many road traffic crashes and fatalities.
Hamzat stressed that passengers should also report individuals driving recklessly to the agency as part of their responsibility.
He noted that many lives had been lost because of reckless driving, driving under influence of alcohol or hard drugs, rage driving, and complacency on the part of passengers.
“I want to advise motorists to be conscious while driving from time to time, particularly this period. They just have to drive with care.
“They’ve to be very conscious, extremely conscious because they don’t need to lose their lives and the lives of their passengers.
“For commuters, whenever you get on the road and discover a recalcitrant driver driving anyhow and dangerously, please just speak up, talk to him and report quickly because life has no duplicate.
“This single action of getting the information to the FRSC officers, police, or the military on the road can save a lot of people’s lives,” Hamzat said.
He urged passengers to check the condition of the driver and the vehicles before boarding to report any concerns even before embarking on the journey.
While delivering a keynote address on the theme, Dr Chidike Oluaoha, Divisional Head, Interswitch Growth Marketing said that all road users had roles to play in reducing crashes and fatalities.
Decrying the growing complacency on the part of passengers, Oluaoha said: “As we step into vehicles, we have the responsibility to make sure we contribute anything to ensure the vehicle gets to its destination.
“As passengers even before boarding, check round and raise a potential concern. Don’t wait until the vehicle gets into motion before talking.
“Don’t just walk away if you notice anything, raise concern to save the lives of others who might not be as vigilant as you are.
“Engage the driver in a conversation to perceive if such a driver is in the best frame of mind to steer the vehicle. Speak up to save your life and others,” he said.
Oluaoha however, advised passengers to be polite while addressing reckless drivers so as not to further affect the driving and endanger lives.
He charged the FRSC to come up with stickers with hot lines for people to make complaints and raise concern without recalcitrant drivers knowing.
Mr. Chinedu Edokobi, Unit 40 Coordinator of the Special Marshal, in his remarks noted that those who had felt pains of road crashes and fatalities would know the importance of going to the parks to sensitise the drivers.
Earlier in his opening remark, the FRSC Unit Commander, CRC Oludele Okelola said: “Our roads, meant to connect and unite us, have oftentimes become sites of tragedy, claiming lives and living families in agony.”
According to him, the ember month campaign is FRSC strategic intervention towards elevating the consciousness of Nigerians to safe road use and increasing the awareness for travelers and vehicle owners.
“While drivers may be the primary perpetrators of reckless driving, it is often innocent passengers who bear the brunt of the consequences. Passengers trust drivers with their safety.
“However, this trust can sometimes lead to silence in face-off reckless behaviour. It is vital that passengers feel empowered to speak up when they observe dangerous driving.
“Remember, silence can be deadly as the reckless act itself. It is a right to demand safe transport,” Okelola said.
According to him, stakeholders, including transport companies and regulatory bodies, must create accessible channels for reporting reckless drivers without fear of retribution.
“Drivers, passengers, and pedestrians must understand that safety is a shared responsibility. We cannot afford to remain indifferent while lives are lost on our roads daily.
“Together, we can transform our roads from death traps to safe pathways for all.
“Dangerous Driving must end. Passengers must no longer lay the ultimate price for the recklessness of a few drivers, “he added.
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