STANLEY OKECHUKWU-EZE
Arising from the A U and UNO prescriptions, a day has been set aside by the Nigerian Federal Road Safety Corp every year to commemorate those who have died on the road. This programme is called Commemoration of African Road Safety Week/Remembrance day of Road Traffic Crash Victims. Addressing the press during a press briefing which marked the kick off of this year's event on November 13, 2014 at the FRSC headquarters in Awka, the FRSC Sector Commandant,Mr Sunday Ajayi, explained that basically, this period has been set aside just to bring to the fore the number of people that die every year in road accidents and as such to identify with the families of the victims. The second reason, according to him, is to equally bring to our knowledge that the road we use everyday is very dangerous and we have to take caution while we use the road. This year's theme is 'Speed kills, design out speed.'
In strong terms he said, 'We already know and it is on record that a lot of people engage in reckless driving while using the road, and an aspect of reckless driving is over speeding; getting beyond the speed limit while using the road. And because of this, the corp has entered into collaboration with the SON and they have worked out the possibility of reducing carnage on the road through the method of speed limiting device.
As we all know, we have other types of measures before now. Like we have speed governors and we have speed alert and even speed intelligence. But this one that is coming up is to stop the vehicle from moving beyond the speed that has been customized with that vehicle. And because of this, we want to let the public know that by June 01, 2015, it will come into enforcement. And what this simply means is that the public should get prepared to follow the standard that will be given by the Standard Organisation of Nigerian (SON).'
As we all know, we have other types of measures before now. Like we have speed governors and we have speed alert and even speed intelligence. But this one that is coming up is to stop the vehicle from moving beyond the speed that has been customized with that vehicle. And because of this, we want to let the public know that by June 01, 2015, it will come into enforcement. And what this simply means is that the public should get prepared to follow the standard that will be given by the Standard Organisation of Nigerian (SON).'
Speaking further, Mr Ajayi added that 'the issue of speed limitance device on our vehicle is very genuine, in the sense that if we as human beings will not be able to control ourselves and take note of the speed regulation, the speed limitance will help us. Because the moment you rave and you cannot go beyond the normal speed that you have keyed in, it will help you as a road user.'
He informed that though, for the time being, they are focusing on the high capacity vehicles, that is the vehicles that carry more passengers while using the road, that they want to encourage cooperate bodies, individuals, and even government organisations to be part of the programme.
The FRSC boss noted that the group that dies on the road belong to the youthful age group, the productive age given that they are more on the road and as such they are more involved in crashes whenever such occur.
As a result of this, Mr Ajayi said that this year, they have mapped out a program which starts today and it will end on Sunday through which they are telling everybody that road safety is a joint effort. In his words; 'We cannot as an organisation do it alone. We want everybody to be aware that they have role to play in this matter. If the government is providing logistics and personnel to man the road, the individuals using the road have the responsibility to use the road properly. And as such, we want people to get to know how to use the road by following the procedures and processes laid down, so as to drive and keep the road safe.'
The FRSC boss noted that the group that dies on the road belong to the youthful age group, the productive age given that they are more on the road and as such they are more involved in crashes whenever such occur.
As a result of this, Mr Ajayi said that this year, they have mapped out a program which starts today and it will end on Sunday through which they are telling everybody that road safety is a joint effort. In his words; 'We cannot as an organisation do it alone. We want everybody to be aware that they have role to play in this matter. If the government is providing logistics and personnel to man the road, the individuals using the road have the responsibility to use the road properly. And as such, we want people to get to know how to use the road by following the procedures and processes laid down, so as to drive and keep the road safe.'
The FRSC boss spotted indiscipline on the part of road users as the major reason for gridlocks on the road and identified gridlock as an occurrence that undermines security and safety on the road. He called on the public to pledge to obey traffic laws, and cooperating with them as they function on the road, affirming the lawfulness of their presence on the highways, as well as that of apprehending traffic offenders.
Mr Sunday Ajayi said, 'We are into 'ember' month. It is a period when we have more movements on the highway. We want to assure everybody that we are set to make sure that we don't experience problems on the highways. We will have more of seamless travel during this period. I want to remind again that it all depends on us. Road safety is a collective responsibility, let us play our own part. The cooperation of the road users is very key to our success.'
Mr Sunday Ajayi said, 'We are into 'ember' month. It is a period when we have more movements on the highway. We want to assure everybody that we are set to make sure that we don't experience problems on the highways. We will have more of seamless travel during this period. I want to remind again that it all depends on us. Road safety is a collective responsibility, let us play our own part. The cooperation of the road users is very key to our success.'
While fielding in questions from the press, the FRSC sector commandant made it clear that they are aware of some bad eggs amongst them that collect bribes on the highway and that they embark upon monitoring and surveillance to fish out such and deal with them accordingly. He assured the public that there is no arbitrariness to the fines they levy on traffic offenders and attributed the seemingly high cost to their attempt to dissuade people from disobeying traffic laws. 'No amount can be compared to life', Mr Ajayi observes.
It was made known that the awareness campaign will continue till Sunday when the event will be capped up by a church service to pray for the traffic crash victims and road users in general.
