The Federal Road Safety
Corps (FRSC), Rivers State Command, has enjoined stakeholders in the transport sector, government agencies, the media and members of the public to be  part of the campaign against drunk-driving to reduce the rate of crashes on public roads in the country.
The Zonal Head, Transport Standardisation office in Port Harcourt, Livinus Ibe, made the call at a stakeholders forum organised by FRSC in Port Harcourt recently.
According to Ibe, the implication of drunk-driving on the road is far-reaching and has resulted in high crash rates involving loss of precious lives and property and noted that until all in the society becomes part of the campaign, the much needed change in the orientation of affected drivers would not be achieved.
He said, “driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal because the man that has taken alcohol is a crash waiting to  happen” and urged fleet operators, transport unions, local  councils and management of motor parks to play active role in checking the trend as an important way of promoting safety on the high ways.
According to Ibe, observations have shown that over-speeding, recklessness on the high way and other forms of disobedience to traffic rules and regulations occur sometimes as a result of the influence of intoxicants.
“Should you therefore allow such a driver behave anyhow he likes on the way, if eventually he crashes and you are in same vehicle with him or her, remember that you would  crash along with the driver”, he said and urged passengers not to feel unconcerned about the situation.
The zonal head further urged members of the press to use the media to support the campaign, especially in condemning some misleading sales promotion slogans written on drinks with high alcoholic contents which give wrong impressions that consumption of such drinks places one better in terms of health or social status.

Chris Oluoh