FRSC Issues Safety Alert Over Hazy Weather Conditions
The Gombe State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued a critical advisory to the motoring public, urging heightened caution as seasonal haze significantly reduces road visibility across the state.
This meteorological shift, characterized by dense dust and atmospheric clarity issues, has prompted the corps to activate emergency safety protocols to prevent a spike in road traffic crashes.
The Command noted that the current weather conditions pose a direct threat to drivers, particularly on high-speed corridors where impaired vision can lead to catastrophic collisions if defensive driving measures are not strictly implemented.
Speaking on behalf of the Command, the Sector Public Education Officer, SRC Janet Kasa, emphasized that the seasonal haze is not merely a weather inconvenience but a significant operational hazard.
The Command’s data indicates that reduced visibility is a leading contributor to multi-vehicle pile-ups and run-off-road accidents during the harmattan season.
Consequently, the State Sector Commander, CC Samson Kaura, has directed all field operations to prioritize the enforcement of speed limits and the inspection of vehicle lighting systems to ensure that road users are visible to one another despite the dusty atmosphere.
The economic implications of seasonal road hazards in Nigeria are substantial, particularly regarding the movement of agricultural goods and commercial transit. Gombe State serves as a vital transit hub for the North-East region, connecting trade routes between the North-Central and the Lake Chad basin.
Frequent road closures or accidents caused by poor weather can lead to significant logistical delays, increasing the cost of transportation and contributing to food spoilage. By proactively managing road safety during this period, the FRSC is effectively protecting the regional supply chain and reducing the multi-billion naira annual loss attributed to road traffic accidents in Nigeria.
Commander Kaura specifically addressed the dangers of “speeding in the blind,” a phenomenon where drivers maintain high velocities despite not being able to see more than a few meters ahead.
He stressed that under hazy conditions, the standard reaction time is severely compromised. Motorists are therefore advised to adopt a “safety-first” mentality, which includes maintaining a much larger following distance than usual. This buffer is essential for preventing rear-end collisions, which are common when a lead vehicle suddenly brakes due to an unseen obstruction or a localized intensification of the dust haze.
In addition to speed regulation, the FRSC has released a checklist of mandatory vehicle maintenance requirements for the season. Drivers must ensure that their headlights, tail lights, and brake lights are in optimal working condition.
The Command uniquely advised that these lights should be utilized even during daytime hours if the haze becomes particularly thick, acting as a beacon for other motorists.
Furthermore, clean windscreens and functional wipers are non-negotiable, as the accumulation of fine dust particles can create a glare that further blinds the driver when hit by the low-angled sun typical of the harmattan months.
The Command also warned against “dangerous behaviors” that are exacerbated by the weather, such as wrongful overtaking and distracted driving.
In a low-visibility environment, an overtaking maneuver that might be safe in clear weather becomes a high-risk gamble, as oncoming vehicles may not be visible until they are within a dangerous proximity.
The FRSC has signaled that its personnel will be deployed to strategic “black spots” and high-risk intersections across Gombe State to provide guidance and penalize motorists who disregard these seasonal safety directives.
From a public welfare perspective, the FRSC’s advisory aligns with broader national efforts to reduce the strain on the Nigerian healthcare system. Road traffic injuries place an immense burden on emergency medical services and trauma centers, which are already grappling with limited resources.
By preventing crashes through effective communication and enforcement, the FRSC contributes to the overall resilience of the state’s social infrastructure. The Command has encouraged the public to report any reckless driving or road obstructions via the FRSC emergency toll-free number, 122, to ensure rapid response during this period of heightened risk.
As the hazy conditions are expected to persist in line with current meteorological forecasts, the FRSC remains committed to a policy of “zero tolerance” for traffic violations that jeopardize lives.
The synergy between the motoring public’s cooperation and the Command’s oversight is the primary defense against the seasonal rise in fatalities.
Motorists are urged to remember that arriving at a destination late due to reduced speed is a far better outcome than the potential alternatives associated with reckless driving in an impaired environment. The long-term stability of the region’s transport sector depends on this culture of safety and the strict adherence to the rules of the road.
