By Cliffsimeon Akalonu
The Federal Road Safety Corps, Ikeja Unit Command, today 6th of December 2019, Flagged off her ember month campaign tagged “Road Safety is a State of the Mind and Road Traffic Crash is Absence of the Mind” and was hosted by Chukwu Buikem Motors, Iyana Ipaja.
The Unit Commander, Ikeja FRSC, ACC Emma Fekoya, said the reason for the gathering today is for us to know the role we all can play when it comes to road safety matters. The millennium started since year 2000 and it is expected that driving in these years of globalization should reflect professionalism and ensure safety.
There is also a great demand for human capacity development to ensure good and appropriate knowledge, skills and proficiency in all areas of endeavour thus, every professional must sharpen and improve his skills to meet up with new standards. Fekoya said.
She said, as a good driver, keeping your vehicle in good condition, road safety consciousness, avoidance of fatigue, Maintenance of safety devices, health related issues, vehicle checks and maintenance, crash report and Journey records are your responsibilities.
As drivers, you should be aware that period like this i.e the Ember months, your attitude on the road matters a lot. We can reduce deaths and injuries due to to crashes to the barest minimum if we all make commitment today, to use our seat belts, not over speeding, Not using phone or eat while driving, not drink and drive, not to drive when tired, angry or upset, obey traffic laws and take good care of our health.
In her speech, she warn motor and park operators to stop overloading as Mechanical, Environmental and Human factors are part of the causes for road traffic crashes.
The representative of the Lagos Sector Commander, FRSC Lagos, ACC SD Abdullahi, said one of the importance of this gathering is to enlighten you all that FRSC is not just for the arrest of road traffic offenders but to let you know that FRSC is there for safety and that of your family at home.
As a driver, you are meant to concentrate 101% while driving because people are expecting you back home as well as depending on you and that of those you are carrying the vehicle.
He said that, there is a need for us to change our attitude towards things because it will bear witness for today’s theme as ” Road Safety is a State of the Mind and Road Safety Crash is Absence of the Mind, Stay Alive and Stay Safe”.
Comrade Sebastian Ola, who represented the Chairman, Chukwu Buikem Motors, Commended the FRSC for the recent awards conducted by FRSC Lagos in conjunction with Globe Media, which Chukwu Buikem Driver won the best driver of the year.
He went on to advise drivers to comply with road safety personnel, stop trying to man over when you are been stopped on the road and report any branch or fleet manager who tries to do overloading and always make sure you check your tyres before embarking on a long journey as ember month is around the corner.
Giving words of advise to drivers, the DTO Gowon Estate, DSP Malvin Ighodaro, who represented the DPO, Gowon Estate, said drivers should not drink and drive because most drivers are in the habit of drinking before driving thinking is the best way to be active on steering. If there is any need for you to drink, don’t drive but relax and if you must drive, please don’t drink, he advised”.
In addition, the Unit Coordinator, Special Marshal, Unit 75 Ebesan, said people should be careful as most drivers believe that its their season and I said no, because what you do not achieve from January till December, you can not achieve it in one day. It is one who is alive that celebrates not the dead.
Bayo Adedemola and Babatunde Akerele, from Surveillant Fire Ltd, who gave tips on fire safety, said companies and fleet operators should charge their safety managers to always keep checking the gauge of fire extinguisher because it reduces and may be as a cause of heat, weather condition and other factors that may be behind it.
They said, fire extinguishers also have empire dates and one need to know about this so as you don’t get disappointed on the cause of emergency. In case of fire accident, when using extinguisher, apply at the fire base and not on the fire top.
At the Flagg off campaign, FRSC Ikeja gave prizes to drivers who participated in quiz as well as give free medical checkup to the public conducted by FRSC Zone 2 Medical team and HealthPlus Pharmacy.