The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has threatened to fight the menace of `over speeding’ drivers in Edo through total enforcement of the use of speed limiting device by commercial drivers.
Mr Ayodele Kumapayi, Zonal Commanding Officer (ZCO), zone RS 5, comprising Edo, Delta, and Anambra, made this known on Thursday at the launch of the “Ember months” campaign in the state.
Kumapayi said that this was imperative as one of the critical offences the corps focused on was speeding.
He noted that the hazard of speeding in relation to a vehicle was enormous, as it could impede the driver’s ability to control the vehicle and pose a safety challenge to other road users.
He, therefore, said that to enjoy quality road use commercial and private vehicles drivers were to exercise care during the ember months and should adopt the tenets of defensive driving.
“They are to also drive within the proposed speed limit for their classes of vehicles.
“Motorists and passengers should plan their journey carefully. Avoid rush hours, and night travels,” he said.
The ZCO explained that the embers months’ campaign was an operational strategy evolved by the corps to mitigate the rising traffic challenges of both the human and vehicular movement during the period.
Earlier Mr Henry Benamaisia, state sector commander of the corps, said that from research excessive speed was a major cause of road traffic crashes.
He said that in view of this, the theme of the campaign for the year “Maintain Safe Speed, Avoid Night Travels and Enjoy Quality Road Experience”, was pertinent.
Benamaisia explained that this was also because speed was identified as a key risk factor increasing the risk of road crash as well as the severity of the injuries resulting from crashes.
“Excessive speeding not only decreases a driver’s response time, it also reduces the driver’s ability to maneuver safely on the road.
“The resultant road crash does not discriminate; it affects the high and low, rich and poor, male and female,” he said.
In his remarks Mr Phillip Shaibu, the Edo Deputy Governor, said road traffic crashes were occasioned by human, mechanical and environmental factors.
Shaibu, who was the special guest of honour, however, said that the human factor could not be over emphasised when discussing road traffic crashes.
He noted that impatience, drug abuse, recklessness, over confidence, poor vehicle maintenance, excessive speed among others were also causes of road traffic crashes.
He urged the corps to put emphasis on route violation as it was uncivilised.
He noted that the Edo Government was not unaware of challenges faced by personnel of the corps in the discharge of their duties and gave assurance that government would not hesitate to assist when called upon. (NAN)
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