The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Gombe State Sector Command has issued an urgent safety advisory to the motoring public following a thick wave of seasonal dust haze that has significantly reduced visibility across the state’s road networks.
With atmospheric conditions deteriorating, officials warned that the “blind” driving conditions pose a severe risk of road traffic crashes, as the current dust-heavy atmosphere drastically impairs vision and reduces the window for emergency reactions on the highway.
Reacting to the environmental shift, the Gombe State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Samson Kaura, emphasized that the haze is not merely a seasonal inconvenience but a major road hazard that demands deliberate caution.
He noted that high speeds, which are dangerous under normal circumstances, become a potential death sentence when clarity is compromised.
“Speeding at such a time becomes even more dangerous,” Kaura warned, appealing to all motorists to slow down, obey speed limits, and embrace defensive driving to avoid preventable tragedies.
To combat the risks associated with the prevailing dust clouds, the Command has mandated that all drivers ensure their vehicles are “weather-ready.” This includes verifying that headlights, tail lights, and brake lights are fully functional and used appropriately—even during daytime hours—to signal presence to other road users.
Drivers are further urged to maintain significantly larger following distances, keep their windscreens clean, and strictly avoid the temptations of wrongful overtaking or distracted driving.
The advisory, issued by the Sector Public Education Officer, Superintendent Route Commander Janet Kassa, concluded with a stern warning against reckless behaviors.
As the harmattan dust continues to settle over the state, the FRSC remains on high alert, reminding every Nigerian behind the wheel that arriving safely is far more important than arriving quickly.