FRSC DEPLOYS 34,000 PERSONNEL AND 484 VEHICLES FOR XMAS

As part of measures to reduce the spate of road traffic infractions on the nation’s highways, especially during the festive seasons, the Federal Road safety Corps has deployed 34,000 operatives and 484 patrol vehicles for a special nationwide intervention patrol which will commence 19^th December 2013 and end on 12^th January, 2014, tagged “Operation Zero Tolerance”.

Speaking on the nationwide exercise which is the fourth in the series of special intervention patrols, initiated by the FRSC to achieve its 2013 strategic goals of reducing fatality by 30% and road crashes by 20%, the Corps Public Education Officer, Corps Commander Jonas Agwu said “aside from the personnel, this exercise will further witness the deployment of 53 advanced life support ambulances, 8 heavy duty tow trucks, 9 medium and light duty tow trucks, 102 patrol bikes and 4 helicopters for aerial surveillance  as part of measures to consolidate on the Corps’ road map towards reducing road crashes during the yuletide”

According to him “The operation has become necessary due to the usual increased movement of people and goods across the nation’s roads, thereby stretching the road infrastructure and tasking also traffic law enforcement officers due to several potential traffic distresses that must be prevented or attended to promptly” he said.

Jonas also said that the exercise is in line with the FRSC resolve to achieve the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011-2020) and the Accra Declaration of year 2007, adding that “ the end of the year negative traffic out-come which could negatively affect the achievements of the Corps in crash mitigation, has necessitated the need for pro-active strategies to be put in place”. 

During this period , the Corps’ operational focus will be on traffic control/calming, clearing of obstructions, checking speed limit and overloading violation, dangerous driving, use of phone while driving, light signal violation  and  other road vices with the collaboration of other relevant agencies such as the Military, the Nigeria Police, National Emergency Management Agency, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, States Traffic agencies, private ambulance operators and others.

According to the Corps Public Education Officer; “ 23 corridors such as Sagamu-Ore-Benin, Lokoja-Benin-Auchi, Onitsha-Ihiala-Aba, Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Hawan Kibo-Jos, Minna-Birnin-Kebbi-Sokoto-Gusau-Funtua-Zaria, Kabba-Umuoke-Ekiti-Ido-Ilesha, Benin-Warri-Patani-Portharcourt and Makurdi-Oturkpo-Obollo Afor-9^th Mile highways and 65 routes have identified nationwide for this exercise”.

In addition,” 20 critical traffic control camps have been set up by the FRSC to ensure seamless response to road crashes and traffic gridlock such as Abaji (FCT), Ogere (Ogun state), Ilesha (Osun state) and Asaba (Delta state), in addition to 20 Help areas and 14 zebra points along these identified corridors for prompt first aid and medical assistance to victims of road traffic crashes”.

Speaking further, he said ”the nationwide exercise which will inter-twined with robust public enlightenment campaigns, is the highpoint of the Corps’ consistent tradition in the year towards road crash reduction and  to avoid a one-off approach to road safety management in Nigeria”.

 He added “the 2013 operation zero tolerance patrol signifies the intension of the Corps to do all within its powers to ensure that zero road crash, injury and death are recorded throughout the period of the yuletide.

Continuing he said, ‘road traffic crashes are avoidable and only obedience to best practices of road use will guaranty the safety of all road users’.

Against this backdrop, motorists are hereby warned to ensure strict compliance with all traffic rules and regulations and proper maintenance of vehicles which ply the highways as the Corps has established mobile courts at strategic routes of the highways to ensure prompt trial of traffic offenders.

In the same vein, commuters (passengers) are enjoined to monitor their drivers and to employ subtle approach to call them (drivers) to order in the face of any form of reckless driving as any form of complacency may result to grave consequences or call FRSC toll free line 122 or 070022553772 for prompt response to any traffic challenges.

Jonas Agwu

Corps Commander

Corps Public Education Officer