INTRODUCTION

The Road Safety Club is one of the 3 tiers of the Corps the other two being

Regular Marshals and the Special Marshals

The Road Safety Club is volunteer groups of Pupil in the Primary Schools, Students in the Secondary Schools and graduates of tertiary institutions doing the National Youth Service Corps programme.

They compliment the efforts of the Regular and Special Marshals in the areas of traffic control and public education advocacy. The club was established under the FRSC Act of 2007 as amended part II section I determined by the Commission with the approval of the President and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces of Federal Republic of Nigeria. The club is charged with the responsibility of:

a. Educating the motoring public on the importance of discipline on the highways and

b. Recommending measures, work and devices designed to minimize accidents on the highways.

REGISTRATION

Road Safety Club membership enrolment is on group basis from Primary, Secondary schools and State NYSC Directorate. Two members of the School teaching staff or staff of the NYSC Directorate must append their signatures to the applications as patrons or supervisors to the proposed club.

Such group shall apply in writing to the Unit/Sector Commander indicating their interest toward the establishment of Road Safety Club in their Schools with the approval of their Headmaster/Mistress, Principal or Zonal Inspector/State Director in the case of NYSC.

The application shall include the list of all intending members, which should have a minimum of thirty (30) registered pupils/Students/Corpers in Schools or NYSC Batch in Camp.

MEMBERSHIP

An intending member of Road Safety Club should be a Nigerian child between six (6) to thirty (30) years or a foreigner whose parents have taken up residence in Nigeria with valid immigration papers and can communicate in English Language.

TRAINING

Road Safety Club members are trained to meet the local needs of Road Safety activities by the officer in charge at Sector/Unit Commands.

The training covers areas such as:

1. Highway Code literacy

2. First aid/rescue Technique

3. FRSC Hierarchy, Ranks and Badges

4. FRSC Historical Background

5. Foot Drills and any other topics as maybe approved by the Commission.

CLUB ADMINISTRATION

The RSC should be administered under the office of the Sector/Unit Commander with the Special Marshal liaison officer of Special Marshal and Partnership unit(SMP) directly overseeing it.

Documents, records and all correspondence shall be kept by the Sector/Unit Commander.

The Commission shall permit the printing of letter-heads and complementary cards if need be.

FUNCTIONS OF ROAD SAFETY CLUB

Road Safety Club is vested with the following functions:

1. To inculcate among the youths, Road Safety culture as contained in the highway codes and other relevant Road Safety books, journals, films etc as approved by the Commission.

2. Assist in propagating Road Safety principles and ideas to compliment the efforts of the Regular and Special Marshals.

3. Assist in monitoring road conditions and reporting such to appropriate Road Safety office.

4. Report accident cases to the nearest Road Safety office or any relevant body like the Nigeria Police.

5. To organize workshops, seminars, quiz competitions and other programmes relevant for the promotion of Road Safety.

MODE OF OPERATION

The club members meet at least once every week to discuss issues concerning road safety under the supervision of their supervising teacher/NYSC officials within the school premises/NYSC Sate Secretariat or Road Safety Command premises.

The tenure of office of executive members is twelve (12) Calendar months and the offices are filled by election organized by the Sector Commander.

There are weekly and monthly programmes of the club whereby the entire club members including the satellite units come together to participate in the programme at the same venue.

The club maintains a current bank account where all the monthly dues collected from members and financial benefits accruing to the club are deposited. The account is managed by the cadet-in-chief, Cadet registrar and the bursar respectively.

The supervising teacher/NYSC officials are in-charge of the discipline of the club members.

SPECIAL FUNCTIONS OF NYSC/SCHOOL RSC OFFICIALS

The following offices shall be created for the smooth running of the club:

a. CADET-IN-CHIEF

The C-n-C is to head the club in the School/NYSC batch.

He or She shall call and preside over meetings but under the instruction of the supervising teacher/NYSC official.

The C-n-C shall perform any other functions as may be directed by the Sector/Unit Commander.

b. DEPUTY CADET-IN-CHIEF

He or She shall act in the absence of the C-n-C.

Shall perform any other function as may be assigned by the C-in-C.

c. CADET REGISTRAR

Shall keep records of all minutes of meetings of the club.

Shall receive and reply all correspondence on behalf of the club as directed by the C-n-C.

Shall be responsible for the general administrative duties of the club.

d. CADET COMPANY COMMANDER

The Company Commander supervises the activities of the Company during Parade, CDs or Road work exercise.

Shall perform other functions as may be assigned by the Cadet-In-Chief.

e. DEPUTY CADET REGISTRAR

Shall act in the absence of the Chief scribe .

Shall perform any other function as may be assigned by the Chief scribe.

f. FLAY CADET

Shall be the mouth piece of the club

Shall project the image of the club in any gathering on Road Safety matter.

Shall liase with the media to give the club a good image and also propagate Road Safety ideas with the approval of the Sector/Unit Commander.

g. BURSAR

Shall keep records of all monies

Shall keep safe all monies of the club

Shall at every meeting render an account of all monies received and spent as directed by the executive.

h. CADET PROVOST

Ensure daily drills and Parade

Maintaining Law and Order among members

Responsible to the Cadet-in-Chief

i. MESS CADET

The Mess cadet shall be a lady member of the club and shall be the welfare officer of the club.

She should be responsible for the feeding, refreshment and accommodation during any club engagement.

j. CADET AUDITOR

Shall audit the accounts of the club quarterly.

k. CADET REGIMENTAL SERGENT MAJOR(RSM)

The RSM shall maintain discipline within the Cadet Marshals of the club.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE RSC

The establishment of NYSC/School Road Safety Club has created Road Safety awareness through seminars, workshops, quiz competitions among the Nigerian youths.

It has inculcated in the minds of Nigerian youths at tender age the respect for national road traffic regulations.

NYSC Road Safety Clubs have constructed zebra crossings and road signs across the country especially at the localities where they served as Corps members.

The NYSC Road Safety clubs have also been involved in researching on the road safety issues coming up with good suggestions especially on road conditions.

The NYSC Road Safety clubs have been assisting in traffic control.

A good number of Road Safety Clubs are presently registered at NYSC, Secondary and Primary Schools across the country.

The Road Safety Club has about 24,000 members at the moment.

CHALLENGES

Non-uniformity of RSC regalia nationwide

A good number of the club members still lack adequate road safety knowledge.

Some of the zebra and road traffic signs constructed and erected by RSC are poorly done, therefore not up to international standard, because of lack fund.

The clubs usually lack fund to carry out programmes such as quiz competitions, debates, essay competitions, seminars and workshops.

Some members of RSC are involved in road traffic violation such as non-use of seat belt, overspeeding, under age driving/riding among others.

RECOMMENDATION

1. There should be periodic training of sector SMP liaison officers.

2. Highway code should be made available for the club members to buy at affordable prices or no cost at all.

3. There may be seasonal national quiz or debate competitions on road safety topics which may be from State to Zonal and then to the national level to be sponsored by FRSC/Special Marshals.

4. Club members should always liaise with the Sector Special Marshals and Partnership (SMP) liaison officer for the construction and erection of zebra and road traffic signs to meet standards.

5. RSC Seminars, quiz competitions and workshops should be adequately supervised and supported by the Sector /Unit Commanders and Special Marshals to meet standards.

6. Members who violates the road traffic regulations may be sanctioned to pay fines (as may be recommended) payable into the club account.

NYSC CLUB MEMBERS CERTIFICATES ISSUED

 ROAD SAFETY CLUB MEMBERS IN SCHOOLS