Yuletide: FRSC intensifies patrols on major corridors

The Federal Road Safety Corps has intensified nationwide highway monitoring as part of its end-of-year operations to ensure safe and free movement during the festive season.

The spokesperson for the Corps, Olusegun Ogungbemide, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, noting that the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, personally led on-the-spot assessments in key corridors, including Abuja–Lokoja highway and Kaduna.

According to the statement, the Corps Marshal’s earlier monitoring of the Abuja–Lokoja highway resulted in the immediate deployment of additional personnel to ease congestion and restore traffic flow.

“As part of the end-of-year nationwide monitoring of highways, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, extended his on-the-spot assessment to Kaduna, following his earlier personal monitoring of the Abuja–Lokoja highway, which led to the immediate deployment of additional personnel to clear traffic and restore free flow,” Ogungbemide said.

He added that in Kaduna, Mohammed, on Monday, directly supervised traffic operations to enforce compliance with road safety regulations.

“In Kaduna, the corps marshal personally oversaw traffic operations, ensuring strict compliance with traffic regulations, as enforcement teams intensified surveillance across major routes, leading to the apprehension of several overloaded vehicles and traffic violators,” the statement said.

Ogungbemide explained that the extended monitoring reflected the corps marshal’s leadership style and firm stance against traffic infractions, particularly during periods of increased travel.

The extended monitoring speaks volumes of the corps marshal’s hands-on leadership and zero tolerance stance against traffic infractions, especially during the festive travel season,” he said.

The FRSC spokesperson also urged motorists to cooperate with officers and adhere strictly to traffic rules to prevent road crashes and save lives.

“Motorists were strongly urged to obey traffic rules, avoid overloading, and cooperate with officers on duty, as sustained compliance remains critical to reducing crashes, saving lives, and guaranteeing safer highways nationwide,” Ogungbemide stated.

The end-of-year period traditionally witnesses a surge in vehicular movement across major highways as Nigerians travel to reunite with families and participate in festive activities, often leading to increased traffic congestion and road crashes.

In response, the FRSC rolls out special nationwide patrols, public sensitisation campaigns, and reinforced enforcement measures to minimise accidents and ensure safer road use.

Culled from punch