The Federal Road Safety Corps, said it has deployed 15,000 personnel, 800 patrol vehicles, 60 motor bikes, 52 ambulances and six heavy duty tow trucks along critical corridors of the nation’s highways as part of plans to ensure a safe Eid-el- Fitri celebrations.
The corps stated that the deployment was part of its programmes for a nationwide special patrol slated for July 25- 29, 2014 with the theme, ‘Attitude: the change we need on our roads’.
A statement by the Corps Public Education Officer, Julius Agwu in Abuja on Friday, stated that the exercise is in line with the Corps’ continued drive to achieve its 2014 strategic goals of reducing road traffic crashes by 15 per cent and fatalities by 25 per cent especially during the festive season.
It said that the operation was designed to address the perennial rise in the violation of traffic rules and regulations during the Eid-el Fitri celebration.
According to the FRSC, the special patrol is aimed at addressing the spate of avoidable road crashes usually associated with surge of human and vehicular traffic across the country during festive periods.
The agency explained that the exercise would involve intensive patrols, prompt rescue services, strict enforcement of traffic rules and robust public enlightenment campaigns across the country.
“Details of the objectives of this special exercise include the removal of obstructions from the highways, traffic control/decongestion, public enlightenment campaigns through the distribution of safety handbills, radio and television talk shows and other forms of awareness campaign, in addition to strict enforcement of road traffic regulation infractions such as non-use of seat belt, use of cell phone while driving, overloading, excessive smoke emission, speed limit violation, wrongful overtaking, dangerous driving, failure to move over and other road vices,” the corps noted.
Aside from massive deployment of personnel and logistics along designated corridors and black spots, the agency stated that it had established nine Help Areas along Hawa Kibo, Akwanga, Gwagwalada, Lokoja, Ore, Egbeda, Mowe, Oghere and Kakau highways, in addition to the establishment of mobile courts at specific locations across the country for quick dispensation with road traffic offences.
Speaking on the Sallah special patrol, the new FRSC Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, Boboye Oyeyemi said that the nationwide exercise “forms part of the Corps’ sustained efforts to build on its ‘Ember’ months and Easter campaigns which to a large extent, will be sustained towards the end of the year to mitigate against road crashes.”
Oyeyemi said, “The ‘Operation Eid-el Fitri 2014’ special patrol signifies the intension of the Corps to do all within its powers to ensure that zero road crashes, injuries and deaths are recorded throughout the sallah period.
He stated that the corps has initiated a 24- hour prompt response to distress calls and urged the motoring public to contact 070022553772 or toll free 122 emergency lines in the event of any road crash and other traffic related challenges.
Invincible ambulance. I have never seen FRSC with an ambulance even when there are heavy casualties. Lies.
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