New Plateau FRSC boss leads sensitisation to curb road crashes

The new Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Plateau state, Olajide Mogaji, has launched a sensitisation campaign against road crashes in the state as part of the Global Road Safety Week.

The campaign which intensified in Jos on Wednesday and was themed “Streets for Life, Make Walking Safe, Make Cycling Safe”, saw the Sector Commander and other officers distributing flyers to all road users on the streets of Jos, including pedestrians, tricycle riders, and motorcyclists.

Mogaji, who was deployed to Plateau state about two weeks ago said the sensitisation campaign aims to promote a culture of road safety awareness and responsible behaviour among road users.

The Sector Commander said, “Today has been earmarked for the state edition of the United States Global Road Safety Week. The project started on Monday and we will continue with the campaign because every May every year is earmarked for this programme. The Global Road Safety Week started in May 2017 and the essence of this campaign is for the public to be aware that the issue of road traffic accidents is a very serious one.

“It is important to note that Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with nearly 1.2 million people killed and as many as 50 million people injured each year. They are the leading killer of young people aged 5-29 years. Globally, more than 1 of every 4 deaths occur among pedestrians and cyclists.

“The 8th UN Global Road Safety Week offers an opportunity to spur action at national and local levels to make walking and cycling safe, by highlighting concrete and specific interventions that can be taken by different stakeholders – governments, international agencies, civil society, businesses and schools.

“These actions will help promote and facilitate a shift to walking and cycling, which are healthier, green, sustainable and economically advantageous modes of transport. This will also contribute, directly and indirectly, to the attainment of many Sustainable Development Goals.”

The Commander emphasised that the campaign targets not only drivers but also other road users, including pedestrians, tricycle riders, and motorcyclists.

He identified several factors contributing to road accidents, including overloading, overspeeding, wrongful overtaking, dangerous driving, and driving under the influence.

He appealed to the public to obey road safety rules and regulations, including road signs and markings.

“We all know the effect of it that when accidents happen, they can claim lives, there may be injuries and there may be loss of properties. Many homes have been devastated because of the issue of accidents. Many breadwinners are no more because of the issue of accidents. For this year, the theme is “street for life. Make walking safe, make cycling safe.

“The target is to make walking very safe on the road. The concentration is not only on drivers, other road users like pedestrians, those riding tricycles, motorcycles and so on. For the programme. Today marks the second day of the process which focuses on a sensitisation rally and that’s why we are here to create awareness regarding dangers on our roads”

The Commander urged the public to be mindful of their actions on the road and to make use of available facilities like overhead bridges and zebra crossings.

He also emphasised the importance of listening to traffic officers and road safety personnel.

The FRSC Sector Commander assured the public that his team would continue to work towards reducing road crashes to the barest minimum on Plateau State roads.

“And we want the public to know that safety on our roads is very important because when somebody leaves home, they expect that they will return home at the end of the day to be welcomed by their loved ones. And accidents can stop this from happening and that should not be allowed,” the Sector Commander added.