FRSC deploys 25,000 personnel, 200 mobile courts for Sallah patrol

To ensure that road users enjoy the best driving and crash free experience during the forthcoming Eid-el fitri cerebration, The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has deployed 25,000 regular and special marshals as well as 200 mobile courts nationwide for a special sallah patrol.

Briefing the press on the level of preparedness of the Corps in Abuja, the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr. Bizi Kazeem, disclosed that 864 vehicles, 106 ambulances, 22 tow trucks and 266 motorcycles have been deployed for this exercise while 200 mobile courts have been setup to try traffic offenders.

The Corps spokesperson said that the use of mobile phones while driving, over loading, over speeding, reckless driving, driving against traffic, obstruction and use of speed limit device for commercial drivers will not be treated with levity by the special patrol team.

He stated that efforts will be intensified in some hot spots like the Abuja-Lokoja highway, Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Benin-Asaba-Ore road to ensure zero road crash during the sallah.

According to Kazeem the aim of the special patrol is to ensure effective management of expected upsurge in human and vehicle traffic to minimize road accidents within the period.

“We want to emphasize traffic control, traffic calming, making sure that the motoring public reach their destinations without any delay.

“We have about 200 mobile courts already set up to try erring offenders, and we are emphasizing on use of phone while driving, speed limiting device as it relates to commercial vehicle operators, overloading, lane indiscipline and obstruction.

“We are looking at critical routes like Abuja-Lokoja highway, Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Benin-Asaba-Ore road and some other critical areas to ensure that we record zero crash during the Sallah period.’’

Kazeem said that the special patrol will commence between June 22 to 28, and that FRSC rescue teams would operate skeletally in the evenings for security reasons, since FRSC officials were not armed while operations in dense areas like Lagos where security is guaranteed could last till 10 pm.

Kazeem stated that efforts have been intensified to enlighten the public on the values of safe driving during the festive season just as he called on passengers to become more active while on-board to ensure that their drivers drive according to rules and minimize crashes on the road.

“We have intensified public education to make sure that we sensitize the motoring public on the use of the road without getting involved in crashes.

“I want to also say that if you are a passenger, don’t be a passive passenger, be active.
You can stop that driver before he kills you. And as a driver you just know that life has no duplicate. You must save your life,’’ he cautioned.

You may wish to note that this year’s road campaign according to FRSC is “Safer Roads, Fuller Lives” targeted at zero road crash in 2017.