YULETIDE PATROL..“THE FIGURES FOR 2013 HAVE BEEN REDUCED”.. CHIDOKA

 

The Federal Road Safety Corps has achieved a reduction in road crashes and fatalities in the last 5 days (19-23) of the 2013 yuletide special patrol, tagged “Operation Zero Tolerance” which was flagged off on 19^thDecember 2013 and will end on 12 January 2014, in line with the Corps’ 2013 strategic  goals of reducing road crashes by 20% and fatalities by 30%.

Speaking  at Obosi  near Onitsha during  the nationwide exercise,  the FRSC Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, Osita  Chidoka disclosed that the Corps’ renewed efforts has so far, yielded positive results as the road crash figures for this year has witnessed a slight reduction when compared to 2012 special patrol fall-out, within the same period of 19-23 December.

According to the Corps Marshal, “a study of traffic flow along various routes of the highways indicate seamless traffic flow which can be largely attributed to the massive deployment of 4 heavy duty tow trucks, 37 patrol trucks, 12 ambulances and 102 patrol motor bikes recently  provided by the World bank to enhance our patrol and rescue services during  this period”.

Continuing, Chidoka added that the Corps’ renewed approach to road safety management during the yuletide, was in line with “a Presidential directive for the FRSC as lead agency on road safety management, to ensure that commuters do not suffer unduely during this year’s yuletide season” He further commended other relevant agencies such as the Police, Air Force, Army, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps for complementing the FRSC efforts during the nationwide exercise.

Giving an insight to the Corps’ projection for 2014, the Corps Marshal recalled that 2013 has witnessed the introduction of the new number plate, driver’s license, building a data base on fleet operators and total transition from analogue to application of digital process in traffic management but 2014 will provide the FRSC with a definite projection for enlightenment, traffic engineering and enforcement.

The Corps Marshal also said that the World Bank initiative has provided the template for Nigeria on the need to perceive road safety components as vital integration during road rehabilitation, to ensure safer road.

Speaking later on behalf of the Corps Marshal before the FRSC aerial surveillance patrol, the Assistant Corps Marshal, Special Marshal and Partnership, Victor Nwokolo stated that the last 5 days has witnessed a reasonable reduction in road crashes across the country, when compared to the 2012 special patrol fall-out.

According to him, “the last 5 days (19-23 December 2013) has witnessed a reduction in road crashes when compared to 2012 Operation Zero exercise during the same period, as the FRSC has recorded 107 deaths and 1,398 injured persons in 214 road crashes with 668 victims rescued alive without injuries while 2012 records indicate 156 deaths and 1,882 injured persons in 236 road crashes with 1,056 persons rescued alive without injuries”.

Nwokolo also said that speed limit violation remained highest causative factor for road crashes during this period which has also witnesses the arrest of 4,051 traffic offenders for violating 4,256 traffic-related offences. On Mobile Courts, the Assistant Corps Marshal also disclosed that 569 offenders were arraigned while 404 and 85 others were convicted and discharged respectively at various  courts , across the country, adding that the Corps will not rest on its oars to ensure further reduction  in road crashes during the yuletide, in line with the FRSC 2013 strategic goals.

He also said that the aerial surveillance will provide the FRSC with clear sight of traffic flow especially along critical corridors of the highways in order to undertake a re-alignment of its personnel, patrol vehicles, bikes, ambulances and tow trucks to achieve set goals.

In the same vein, he re-iterated the Corps’ earlier appeal for commuters (passengers) are enjoined to monitor their drivers and to employ subtle approach to call their 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