The corps marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has urged passengers to exercise caution when boarding vehicles, especially during the festive season, to minimise the risk of road crashes.
Mr Mohammed gave the warning in a statement by the corps public education officer (CPEO), Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Saturday in Abuja.
“Be mindful of drivers who show signs of recklessness and drunkenness before embarking on or during their journeys,” said Mr Mohammed.
He added, “They should be aware of their surroundings and always ensure that their drivers are not under any influence before or during the trips.”
The FRSC boss said the warning had become necessary as the end-of-the-year travels kept gathering expected momentum, making the roads busier than they had been in the previous months.
He said this had also become overly imperative given the recent crashes in Jebba, Kwara State, on December 26 and the other on the Owo-Ikare route before Ose bridge on Saturday.
The FRSC boss, however, said the advocacy and sensitisation campaigns had been stepped up, adding that commuters needed to be alert.
“We observed that the recorded road crashes that occurred during the period above were due to the negligence or recklessness of drivers.
“Other factors were also the inability of passengers to checkmate them, call them to order or even report them to FRSC or other security agencies along their routes,” he said.
Mr Mohammed emphasised that the safety of all road users was of utmost importance, urging commuters to take responsibility for their safety.
“This effort is to support all the necessary interventions that the Corps has put in place,” he maintained.
The FRSC boss highlighted some of the passengers’ roles, including, but not limited to, checking the driver’s behaviour and attitude before boarding and assessing the vehicle’s condition, including the tyres, brakes, and light system.