To check the excesses of drivers and minimize incidences of road traffic crashes during end of the year travels,the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Shehu Mohammed has Flaged-Off 2024 nationwide Ember Months Sensitisation Campaign.
He emphasised on aggressive sensitization of commuters to speak up against reckless driving and report any noticeable case through the FRSC Mobile Application, 122 or the National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM for prompt intervention.
He introduced new dynamic strategic approaches to public sensitisation and directed immediate implementation.
The new approaches include; massive press conferences, mega town hall meetings, motorcades, transit rest areas, and loading bays advocacy.
This strategy, the statement noted, arose from the need to engage passengers and encourage them to assert their rights, thereby curbing drivers' excesses, because it is on record that more passengers are killed in road traffic crashes than drivers.
To implement this approach, a statement by Olusegun Ogungbemide, Assistant Corps Marshal, Corps Public Education Officer, FRSC Headquarters, also said that the Corps will broaden it's advocacy by focusing on re-educating passengers and helping them understand their rights, in line with the theme for this year's campaign which is: 'Speak up against dangerous driving: Crashes kill more passengers than Drivers'.
To this end, the Corps Marshal directed Commanding Officers to ensure the immediate commencement of Mega Public Enlightenment and Sensitization Campaigns on Commuters in all states, including the Federal Capital Territory.
The directive also include ensuring smooth traffic flow, reduce road crashes through aggressive sensitisation of passengers, enforce traffic laws more rigorously, and improve public awareness on road safety ideals.
"This is in line with the Corporate Strategic Goal of the Corps for the year, which is to reduce road fatalities by 5%."
Expectedly, the statement said the Corps Marshal called on the motoring public, especially passengers to always know their rights, speak up against drivers who contravene traffic regulations and report any of such drivers to FRSC patrol operatives and other Security Agencies along their routes.
On the other hand, he enjoined them to call FRSC 122 toll free emergency numbers or leverage on the FRSC Mobile Application to report accordingly.