Get Guardian on Google…Urges Motorists to Prioritise Human Lives
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has warned motorists against reckless driving and other dangerous road practices, describing the persistent loss of lives through road traffic crashes as a national concern that requires urgent collective action.
The Delta State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr Charles Edem, gave the warning while addressing journalists during activities marking the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Crash Victims, with the theme, “The Light That Unites Us.”
Edem lamented that road traffic crashes continue to destroy families, truncate promising futures and leave survivors with permanent physical, emotional and psychological injuries, stressing that every life lost represents a dream cut short and a family thrown into mourning.
He called on motorists, transport operators, passengers, pedestrians and government agencies to embrace responsible road use and strengthen efforts towards reducing avoidable road crashes across the country.
According to him, the annual remembrance provides an opportunity to reflect on the devastating consequences of road traffic crashes, honour those who lost their lives and show solidarity with families and survivors whose lives have been permanently altered.
“As we commence the Road Traffic Crash Victims Remembrance Week, we pause to remember the thousands of lives lost to road traffic crashes, the families whose lives have been permanently altered and the survivors who continue to live with physical, emotional and psychological scars.
“It is a solemn reminder that behind every road traffic crash statistic is a human being — someone’s father, mother, husband, wife, child, brother, sister or friend,” he said.
The sector commander observed that the suffering of road crash victims does not end at the scene of an accident, explaining that many survivors are left to battle disabilities, psychological trauma, financial difficulties and painful memories of the incidents.
He questioned why Nigerians should continue to lose precious lives on the highways when many road crashes could be prevented through discipline, caution and strict compliance with traffic regulations.
Edem identified excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking, distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, overloading, driver fatigue, poor vehicle maintenance and disregard for traffic signs and signals as some of the major factors responsible for road traffic crashes.
He noted that human errors, negligence and deliberate violations of traffic regulations contributed significantly to the recurring tragedies on Nigerian roads.
The FRSC commander, therefore, called on government agencies to strengthen road safety policies and enforcement mechanisms, while urging transport operators to place human lives above commercial interests.
“As a corps dedicated to saving lives on Nigerian roads, the FRSC remains committed to its mandate of reducing road traffic crashes and creating safer motoring environments for all road users.
“But enforcement alone cannot guarantee safety. We need a change of attitude, a change of behaviour and a collective commitment to responsible road use,” he stated.
