Sallah: FRSC deploys 33,000 personnel, 859 patrol vehicles

THE Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, has approved the deployment of 33,000 personnel, both regular and special marshals across the country.

This was part of activities lined up to improve vehicular movement and to mitigate against crashes during the Eid-El-Kabir celebration.

Oyeyemi, said the massive of deployment of personnel and vehicles would help tackle the persistent wrong road usage by motorists which results in high number of Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) during festivities and ensure a downward trend in the number of RTCs.

Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja said the operation would focus on traffic control, excessive speeding, dangerous driving/overtaking, clearance of road obstructions, seatbelt use violation, zero tolerance for use of phone while driving, lane indiscipline and route violation among others as “these have been identified as reoccurring factors of RTCs.”

Oyeyemi, according to the statement said the 2017 Eid-El-Kabir Sallah Special patrol operation is scheduled to commence from 31 August to 6 September, 2017 and that personnel have been briefed appropriately to perform their duties which include public enlightenment, traffic calming, traffic control, enforcement and rescue services.

He added that for ease of operation and prompt rescue services, 859 patrol vans, 106 ambulances, 267 motorbikes and 22 towtrucks have been deployed to cover critical routes and crash prone areas.

The Corps Marshal, reminded Nigerians that the holiday was for celebration with family members and loved ones especially for the Muslim faithfuls.

He, therefore, advised  motorists to adhere to stipulated traffic rules and regulations to and fro their travel destinations as over 200 mobile courts will be set up to prosecute erring offenders.

He further urged the motoring public to practice safe road use culture and give their maximum cooperation to FRSC personnel for the desired success.

He also called on the general public to notify FRSC in the event of an emergency through its emergency line 0700-CALL-FRSC (0700-22553772) or toll free number 122 for prompt response as road safety is a shared responsibility.

“The Corps Marshal wishes Nigerians happy Eid-El-Kabir celebration and assured them that personnel will be on ground 24hours, while Road Side Clinics and Ambulance points across the country will be open to emergencies.

“He also thanked all military and paramilitary agencies for their sustained support as they have equally been placed on standby for effective collaboration,” the statement said.