By Yunusa Isa, Gombe
In an effort to ensure zero crashes in these ember months, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Gombe State Command, has called on passengers to speak up against dangerous driving to save lives and properties.
The State’s Corps Commander Samson Kaura made the call while launching this year’s ember months campaign, themed “Speak Up Against Dangerous Driving: Crashes Kill More Passengers Than Drivers”.
He said “As commanding officers, we have been directed to actively engage commuters, ensuring they are familiar with safety regulations, report reckless driving, use seatbelts, and support responsible driving. Passengers must avoid distractions and contribute to safe road use. This is because, often times than not, passengers are the most affected in the event of traffic crashes, hence the need for them to start speaking up”.
He said the corps has revised its public education strategies to encourage passengers know their rights, thereby curbing drivers’ excesses, “Because it is on record that more passengers are killed in road traffic crashes than drivers. Hence the need to take up responsibility of being more vigilant while on transit”, Kaura added.
The Corps commander said drivers behaviors and passengers indifference to reckless driving, are part of the contributing factors to increased road crashes in Nigeria.
Kaura maintained that to reduce road crashes to bearest minimum, the corps is engaging passengers and stakeholders on enlightenment campaigns.
“To implement this approach, we are focusing on re-educating passengers and helping them understand their rights. The agreement between the driver and the passenger is clear: the driver must ensure the passenger reaches their destination safely. Passengers have a right not to be injured, killed, harassed, or have their rights violated. By empowering passengers, we aim to reduce road traffic crashes”.
While calling for concerted efforts among relevant stakeholders to curb the menace, the corps commander said courtesy of measures put in place, the FRSC has recorded a 5% reduction in accidents from the first to third quarter of 2024.
