REPORTER: OBY ARINZE
The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has advised motorists and other road users to drive carefully during the ember months, saying the period should not be seen as a time for road crashes.
The Corps says drivers can prevent accidents by obeying traffic rules, taking good care of their vehicles and avoiding dangerous driving.
The Sector Commander, FRSC Anambra State, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, gave the advice while speaking on measures to ensure safer road use during the ember months.
Corps Commander Asekhauno explained that the ember months are like every other month of the year, but usually witness increased human and vehicular activities as people travel to visit loved ones, engage in business and make preparations for Christmas.
She observed that the increased traffic makes the roads more challenging because the number of vehicles increases while the available road space remains the same.
The Sector Commander therefore urged motorists who are bringing out vehicles that have been parked for a long period to service them thoroughly before embarking on long journeys.
She advised motorists to check their vehicles’ lighting systems, engine oil, tyres and other critical components, noting that some drivers only discover that their headlights are faulty when they are already on the road at night.
Corps Commander Asekhauno also advised motorists travelling long distances to take regular breaks, stressing that drivers should stop after about four hours, come down from their vehicles and stretch their legs.
She cautioned drivers against continuing a journey when fatigued, advising them to park at a safe location and take a nap before continuing their journey.
The FRSC boss, discouraged night journeys where possible and urged motorists to be considerate of other road users, saying defensive driving remains essential to ensuring personal safety and that of other road users.
She also advised motorists to have functional fire extinguishers in their vehicles, particularly in the boot, for use in emergencies.
Corps Commander Asekhauno urged members of the public to make proper use of the FRSC toll-free emergency number 122, whenever they require assistance or need to report an emergency on the highway.
She stressed that the ember months should not be seen as a period of inevitable road crashes, but as a time when every road user must take greater responsibility for safety.
