FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Edo State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Cyril Matthew has tasked drivers and other road users on safety and maintaining discipline while on the road during the ember months.
Matthew gave the charge during a town hall meeting organised to mark the ember months campaign, with the theme, ‘Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving’.
According to him, statistics show that the festive season sees an alarming spike in traffic violations, many of which stem from distractions while driving.
The Edo FRSC boss, who listed the distractions to include texting, talking on the phone, adjusting the radio or engaging with passengers, noted that these distractions pose significant risks to not only the driver, but everyone on the road.
Matthew noted that the ember months are synonymous with increased road traffic and regrettably, road crashes.
“As road users, we have a shared responsibility to uphold the safety standards essential for a secure environment. When you are behind the wheel, your sole focus must be on the road,” he said.
Speaking, Governor Monday Okpebholo, represented by his Chief of Staff, Gani Audu, noted that the ember period also brings a worrying rise in road traffic crashes, leading to injuries and loss of lives.
According to him, the message of the ember month’s campaign is that most road crashes are preventable, noting that “they do not just happen, they are caused by several factors, and if they are causative, they can be stopped.”
Noting that one of the leading contributors is distracted driving, the governor called on road users, especially passengers and drivers, to take responsibility for their own safety and for the safety of others on the road.
In his goodwill message, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbanika, represented by ASP Idemudia Madalin, assured FRSC of partnership in ensuring that the statistics of road traffic crashes are reduced to the barest minimum.
