Yuletide: FRSC campaigns against over speeding, reckless driving in Rivers

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Rivers State Command, has launched a vigorous campaign against over-speeding and reckless driving in the state as the Yuletide season approaches.

The campaign, tagged “Operation Zero Accident,” aimed to reduce road traffic crashes to the barest minimum during the festive season.

According to the state corps commander, Inyang Umoh, the campaign will run from December 15 to January 15, 2025.
Speaking during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, Umoh emphasised the importance of safe driving during the Yuletide season.

He noted that the Ember Months, which started in September, have been marked by a significant increase in road traffic crashes, warning that the FRSC will not tolerate any form of recklessness on the roads.

The Sector Commander, who also identified some of the major causes of road traffic crashes in the state, said speeding is the major cause, and it is 40 per cent cause of road traffic crashing.

According to Umoh, 3,952 vehicles were involved in road traffic crashes in the first quarter of the year, resulting in 1,471 deaths and 8,659 injuries.

To address these challenges, the FRSC has deployed its personnel to strategic locations across the state. The Corps has also set up mobile courts to prosecute offenders.

He said: “We will be involving in more public enlightenment; we will be involving in more enforcement, mobile courts, we will have heightened programmes, also in traffic control. If there is any crash, we will have swift response. The essence of all these is to save lives.”

Umoh also emphasized the importance of passengers speaking out against reckless driving.

He sad: “Passengers, you have the right, in as much as the driver has the right. As a passenger, you have the right, and your right is to speak out. If the driver is involved in any road driving infraction, please respond and talk to him that you want to arrive at your destination safely.”

He, however, appealed to motorists to exercise patience and caution on the roads, especially during the festive season. “We are not just talking about statistics; we are talking about human lives. Let us all work together to reduce road traffic crashes to the barest minimum.

“We are appealing to our people to please reduce speed this period. With the speed you are using, how will you control or maneuver if there is a problem? This season, a lot of car tires will burst because of excessive heat,” he said.