By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to promptly apprehend and prosecute commercial drivers, who risk the lives of their passengers by putting unworthy vehicles on the road.
Emmanuel, said this during the flag- off the 2021 Ember months Road Safety Campaign flag-off in Uyo on Thursday.
The Governor noted that some drivers were addicted to drunk driving, speeding, impatience and others were careless about the safety status of their vehicles by putting partially functional vehicles at the risk of lives, passengers and other road users.
Gov. Emmanuel who was represented by the Commissioner for Transport, Mr Uno Etim Uno also advocated for the strict enforcement of the installation of speed limiting device on all commercial vehicles by drivers to reduce road crashes in the country.
He noted that the speed limiting device would check the uncontrollable speeding by some drivers and safe lives on road.
“As we would agree, road crashes have taken a heavy toll on many families across the country. Parents, breadwinners and loved ones have had their dreams truncated through avoidable road accidents, leaving their families in anguish, agony and despair.
“Speaking sincerely, most of the crashes would have been averted if our road users, especially our drivers were a little more careful when on the steering.
“I strongly advocate for the strict enforcement of the installation of the speed limiting device by all commercial drivers to check the uncontrollable speeding by some recalcitrant drivers,” Emmanuel said.
Emmanuel said that the State Government would consciously invest in the construction of high quality of intra and inter city roads across the state in keeping with the promise of proving all round infrastructure to boost the socio economic wellbeing of the people.
He commended the FRSC for the initiative of the ember months campaign and appealed to drivers and other road users to imbibe the message of the campaign for the good of all.
Earlier, the FRSC Sector Commander in Akwa Ibom, Mr Matthew Olonisaye, said the command was poised to take proactive measures towards promoting traffic safety in the country.
Olonisaye urged the motoring public to desist from acts capable of endangering lives and properties of road users.
“Compliance with traffic rules and regulations should be of utmost importance to the motoring public. Motorists are advised to avoid speeding, use of phone while driving, driving against the flow and their looming undesirable outcomes,” Olonisaye said.
He warned drivers, motorists and all road users against night travels, stressing that persons involved in night travel mishaps were rarely rescued.
The Sector Commander said the command would ensure wider visibility, strict enforcement and display of professionalism to achieve traffic decongestion, safety and security during the ember months.
The theme of the 2021 ember months campaign is; “Maintain Safe Speed, Avoid Night Travels and Enjoy Quality Road Experience.”
