THE Head of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has called for concerted efforts to make the 2017 Ramadan fast a safe and crash-free month.
Oyeyemi, expressed worry at poor driving habits exhibited by many Nigerians during such festive periods, including dangerous driving as a result of fatigue, tiredness and sleeping on steering on the part of some drivers.
He made the call in his Ramadan message in which he enjoined all road users to show positive attitudes towards observing traffic rules and regulations in the collective resolve to restore sanity on the nation’s highways.
Head, Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC, Mr Bisi Kazeem in a statement on Sunday quoted the Corps Marshal as saying that past reports of the FRSC have shown that the month of Ramadan is one of the challenging periods when cases of speeding, overloading and dangerous driving were most rampart among drivers.
He this has led to avoidable injuries and death to innocent road users, while also warning against the practice, saying the Corps has proactively put necessary measures in place to bring such traffic violators to book.
Oyeyemi, further noted that every road user has a right to the safe use of the road without fear of being obstructed, knocked down or killed through the carelessness of others,adding that ensuring safer road environment is a shared responsibility of all.
He congratulated the Muslims for successfully commencing this year’s Ramadan fast and urged them to always show obedience to traffic rules and regulations as required by the tenets of the religion.
The FRSC boss assured all road users of the commitment of his Management to efforts to create safer road environment, while stressing the importance of road safety to the general well-being of the people and economic activities.
He enjoined all concerned to embrace the ongoing campaign to make the nation’s roads safer.
Oyeyemi further appealed to Nigerians to key into the ongoing road safety campaigns, noting that removal of obstruction or dangers from road is a religious obligation that everyone must be committed to.
“Islam abhors practices that could expose lives to danger. This month, therefore provides opportunity for all the fasting Muslims to properly reflect on this religious obligation and support efforts being made by the Corps to bring safety to all through obedience to traffic rules and regulations,” he said.
He urged every road user to show restraint at such peak periods and cooperate with members of the Corps and other law enforcement agencies deployed to manage traffic for the safety and convenience of all.