THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued a warning that the top killers of motorists in the nation today are speeding, banditry, robbery, and kidnapping on highways.
The FRSC advised drivers to avoid driving at night, buying tires that were past their expiration dates, and drinking too much alcohol in order to reduce the number of victims and carnage on the roads.
This was said by the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dauda Ali Biu, in Ifaki, Ekiti State, during the mega 2023 Special Motor Park rally to educate stakeholders on highway safety precautions.
Among those in attendance are State and local government representatives, traditional leaders, religious figures, driver unions, commercial motorcyclists/tricyclists, and security organizations.
Biu, who was represented by Corps Commander Charles Edem, advised road users to always purchase standard tyres because of the danger in using ‘tokunbo’ or fake tyres.
“There is also a need for adequate rest before and during a long drive. Alcohol intake makes some drivers to be reckless and over-speed while traveling at night can make you predisposed to kidnapping, robbery and death.
“Cases of excessive speeding, insecurity and the use of expired tyres are now the highest killers of motorists on our highways and we have to desist from them to safeguard our lives”, Biu said.
Olusola Joseph, the Sector Commander for Ekiti State, revealed at the event that excessive speeding was responsible for 25.8% of fatalities on Nigerian roads.
Josephin represented by his deputy Corps Commander Olajide Mogaji pleaded with members of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), and private owners to work with the FRSC to reduce preventable deaths on highways.
