The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has directed adequate mobilisation of personnel and operational equipment to curb crashes and gridlocks nationwide.
Bisi Kazeem, FRSC spokesperson, communicated this in a statement, as Chronicle NG reports.
Pursuant to curbing road crashes and avoidable traffic gridlocks on the highways, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Ali Biu, has directed the mobilisation of adequate logistics and personnel for the 2023 Eid-El-Kabir celebration to enhance visibility and guarantee safe travels for all road users before, during, and after the celebration. The special patrol operations have been scheduled to commence on June 26 and be terminated on July 1, 2023.
The Corps Marshal equally mandated that the following objectives must be achieved in the special operations: Reduction in Road Traffic Crashes, Road Traffic Fatalities, and Road Traffic Injuries; Prompt response to road traffic crash victims; Engagement in robust public education and enlightenment; and speedy removal of obstructions from the highways, among others.
He said that the Corps is embarking on the special patrol operation to ensure motorists and other road users have a hitch-free celebration amidst the rainy season. According to him, about 750 Patrol Vehicles, 120 Ambulances, 25 Tow trucks, and over 200 Bikes would be on the road during the special operation.
FRSC has over the years developed this tradition of always organising special patrol operations during festive periods as a way of averting the chaos that characterises the road during such celebrations; as such, this year’s Eid el Kabir would not be an exemption. Motorists must endeavour to avoid traffic violations and remain conscious of their safety to avoid not only arrest and prosecution by members of the Corps but also falling prey to avoidable road crashes.
The corridors to be covered are: Akwanga-Lafiya-Makurdi, Jos-Bauchi-Gombe, Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Birnin Kebbi corridor, Katsina-Kano-Wudil-Dutse-Azare-Potiskum corridor, Kaduna-Saminaka-Jos corridor, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor, Okene-Ogori-Isua-Owo corridor, Asaba-Abraka-Ughelli-Warri corridor, Ibadan-Ogere-Sagamu corridor, Sagamu-Mowe-Lagos corridor, amongst others.
He stated that to achieve maximum coverage, the Corps has deployed operational equipment and logistics materials for this exercise. More so, the Corps Marshal equally directed that all Zebras must be active 24/7 and be responsive to calls within the minimum FRSC response time for crashes reported.
He also seized the opportunity to appeal to motorists to obey all traffic rules and regulations and cooperate fully with the FRSC and other law enforcement agencies that would be deployed for traffic management duties, noting that Mobile Courts would be in session across the country for prompt dispensation of justice to recalcitrant traffic violators.
The Corps Marshal also directed that the operators pay first-rate attention to Effective Traffic Control, Wrongful Overtaking, Use of phones while Driving, driver’s licence violations, Lane Discipline, Removal of Rickety vehicles on the road, Driving with an expired or worn-out tyre and without a spare tyre, etc.
The Corps will go into the exercise in friendly collaboration with Military, paramilitary, and emergency service providers en route or resident.
He also stated that National Traffic Radio (107.1 FM) will continue to operate 24/7 to give real-time traffic updates. As such, he called on all travellers to take advantage of the station’s Situation Office numbers: 07054005754, 07054005712, 08056294021/08056295022, and the FRSC Toll Free numbers 122 to report any obstruction, crash, or gridlock witnessed on the road for prompt intervention of the nearest Command.
