The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Tuesday inaugurated a unified approach to tackle the high incidence of Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) in the country.
Speaking at the nationwide inauguration of an intensified safety campaign in Abuja, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, stressed the importance of cooperation from all sectors of society.
Mohammed, however, maintained that road safety remained everyone’s responsibility; hence all hands must be on deck to address the scourge.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FRSC had organised a two-day management retreat and news conference across the states to address issues on road safety and inaugurated a campaign against RTCs.
Mohammed said the campaign, with the theme “Retooling FRSC for Organisational Effectiveness from Policy Formulation to Strategic Implementation,” focused on multiple fronts; from stricter law enforcement to improving public awareness.
He, however, stressed that road accidents were the leading cause of death among young people globally and in Nigeria as a whole.
According to him, as Africa’s most populous youth demographic, Nigeria stands to suffer immeasurable losses if road safety does not improve.
“The number one cause of death among youths is Road Traffic Crashes.
“If we do not work together to reduce these scourge, we will jeopardise our future.
“Every stakeholder whether government official, vehicle manufacturer, engineer, or road users has a role to play in making our roads safer, “he said.
Mohammed assured that with a lineup of mega town hall meetings, motorcades, and transit camp stops across Nigeria, the Corps aimed to engage road users directly to foster a safety-first culture.
In his welcome address, the Corps Public Education Officer, (CPEO) Olusegun Ogungbemide, said the 2024 ember months campaign was unique.
Ogungbemide said the emphasis on passengers’ rights and empowering them to voice concerns about reckless driving and other traffic offences made it stood out.
“This year’s campaign is unique. We are focusing not only on educating drivers but also on informing passengers of their rights and encouraging them to speak up against reckless driving.
“The FRSC’s approach this season also involves expanded outreach efforts beyond traditional methods like motor park visits, “he said. (NAN)
By Ibironke Ariyo
