The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has deployed 2,700 marshals on major highways in the zone to ensure accident-free yuletide.
FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer (ZCO) in charge of Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, Mr. Abayomi Omiyale, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Kaduna State, on Wednesday.
Omiyale said that the “Operation Zero Tolerance to Gridlock and Traffic Crash’’, which began on Wednesday, Dec. 19, would end on Jan. 15 with 24 hours visibility on critical highways.
He said that all identified gridlock areas would be manned to ensure free flow of traffic, saying that ambulances were also stationed at critical areas for prompt response in case of any fatal accident.
The FRSC boss said that 14 mobile courts would be on ground in the zone to prosecute traffic violators.
“What we will be looking out for are: over-loading, speeding, dangerous driving, tyre violation, use of phone while driving, seat belt violation and mechanically-deficient vehicles.
“Others are: lane discipline, passengers manifest, road obstruction, illegal parking, road side markets, among other traffic violations,” Omiyale said.
He said that the operation would be carried out in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders.
The FRSC boss identified some of the stakeholders to include the Army, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Emergency Management Agency and road transport unions.
Omiyale said the measure was to ensure that travellers enjoy safer roads throughout the Yuletide and beyond.
“We are all aware that the attitude of the road users contributes to a large extent to the increase in road accidents during festive periods.
READ ALSO: Nigerians repatriate £3.27b from UK – World Bank
“We have been carrying out series of rallies and road shows in all major motor parks, designed to keep the motoring public informed on the need to be safety- conscious.
“We will sustain the enlightenment campaign throughout the period and beyond, ‘’ he said.
Omiyale explained that the special patrol and ember months’ campaign were part of the corps’ public enlightenment programmes toward ensuring safer roads, especially during this period when traffic volume increases.
He said that the patrol officers were highly-trained to be civil and professional in carrying out their duty on the roads.
“FRSC Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, recently revealed that 72 of our officers and men were killed on duty by reckless and unruly drivers nationwide in 2018.
“We will continue to put our lives on the line for others to live by enforcing all traffic rules to avert avoidable accidents and untimely deaths,’’ Omiyale said.
He appealed to motorists to be cautious and adhere to all traffic rules while on the road to ensure accident-free journey.
Omiyale advised drivers against overloading, speeding and dangerous driving and urged them to check their vehicles with the mechanic before embarking on a journey. (NAN)
