BY LAW OLUWARAISE-ME-UP
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has officially flagged off its 2025 Ember Months Public Enlightenment and Sensitisation Campaign with a call on motorists to take personal responsibility for their safety on the road.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, mni, launched the campaign during a press conference themed “Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving”, described the Ember Months as a period often characterised by increased vehicular movement, heightened travel activities, and a corresponding rise in road traffic crashes and fatalities caused by last-minute rushes to meet end-of-year targets.
Represented in Ekiti State by the 17th Sector Commander, Sanya Adeoye, the Corps Marshal identified major causes of crashes to include driver fatigue, overloading, the use of haulage vehicles to convey passengers, carrying fuel in plastic containers, violation of traffic regulations, speeding, drunk driving, use of mobile phones while driving, and failure to use seat belts, among others.
Commander Adeoye disclosed that the Ekiti State Command had put in place strategic measures to ensure a crash-free yuletide season. These, he said, include the deployment of FRSC personnel and special marshals across major highways and identified black spots, free vehicle safety checks, motor park rallies, road shows, and town hall meetings with transport unions, security agencies, religious organisations, and community leaders.
He announced that a statewide road show would be held on October 22, during which flyers would be distributed to motorists, members of transport unions such as the NURTW, RETAN, Okada and Maruwa riders, as well as members of the public.
Adeoye added that the advocacy would extend to churches, mosques, and public spaces. Information centres and dedicated helplines would also be set up to respond to emergency calls within ten minutes, while rescue teams would be on standby round the clock.
Speaking further, the Sector Commander explained that the Corps had intensified partnerships and capacity-building engagements with fleet operators and driving schools to enhance driver training standards. He also disclosed that the FRSC had upgraded its printing facilities to produce 15,000 driver’s licences daily, with a target to clear all pending applications before mid-November 2025.
He announced plans to commence contactless biometric capture and on-the-spot licence printing, which would eliminate the issuance of temporary driver’s licences.
Commander Adeoye commended the Federal Government for its continued support to the Corps in its efforts to reduce road crashes and ensure safer road use during and beyond the Ember Months