FRSC Blames Abuja Crashes On Drunk-Driving

The Federal Road
Safety Commission (FRSC) said last Thursday in Abuja that drunk-driving accounted for most of the accidents recorded in the FCT.
The FRSC Sector Commander, FCT, Mrs Suzan Ajenge, disclosed this at a safety rally organised by the Nigerian Road Safety Partnership (NRSP) for the Business Community at Area 2 Shopping Complex.
Represented by Mrs Ngozi Imoroa, the Public Education Officer, FCT Command, Ajenge said the commission was committed to creating awareness for all road users on safety consciousness.
“In the FCT, it has been observed that most crashes recorded are alcohol-induced as many people are fond of taking alcohol before driving which impairs their sense of judgment while driving.
“Such drivers only get home by a stroke of luck.
“Also, the use of cell phone while driving, excessive speeding as a result of the good road network in the territory, and dangerous overtaking are all observed as major causes of road traffic crashed in the FCT,’’ she said.
Ajenge advised drivers to regularly carry out proper checks on their tyres, and cautioned against the use of second-hand tyres, otherwise known as ‘Tokunbo’.
According to her, “life is worth more than the cost of new tyres’’.
She urged drivers to always make sure that the brakes and other components of their vehicles are in good shape, as well as observe the required speed limits.
“Observe your speed limit and ensure that you are within the safe maximum speed limit of 100km per hour for cars and 80km per hour for buses.
“Your cell phone should not be a distraction when you are driving; avoid using it.
“If you cannot stop to answer a call, ignore it and if you are sure you will have a problem ignoring a call, switch your cell phone off before you handle the steering,’’ she said.
The Project Manager, NRSP, Alhaji Babagana Ibrahim, said his group offered support to the government to help in reducing road traffic accidents.
He listed some of the NRSP partners as Shell, NNPC, Mobil, Total, Abuja Municipal Area Council, the Police, hospitals, schools, traders associations, among others.
Ibrahim said the NRSP had identified some busy locations in some states for development of its interventionist programmes.
“NRSP was formed three years ago to educate communities to be effectively involved in making our roads safe,’’ he said
Mr Fortune Onovo, the Chairman, Area 2 Shopping Centre’s Welfare Association, said the enlightenment had made a big impact on the traders.
Onovo said the intervention project of the NRSP included proper marking of the busy Moshood Abiola Way where the Shopping Centre is located.
“They repainted the Zebra crossing and the road signs which helped in maintaining free and orderly flow of traffic,’’ he said.
He said his members had been properly sensitised to the need for traders to obey traffic rules.