GLOBAL DAY FOR ROAD CRASH VICTIMS

The Federal Road Safety Corps has reminded Nigerian road users of the need to embrace safety consciousness and strictly conform with existing road traffic rules and regulations in order to achieve a drastic reduction in road traffic crashes.

Speaking at a candle light procession in Abuja as part of programmes to commemorate this year’s edition of the World Day remembrance for road traffic victims, the FRSC Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, Osita Chidoka stated that in view of emerging global trends in road traffic crashes which poses serious challenges to the strive towards national growth, there urgent need for a decade of action to be declared in Nigeria as part of measures to bring road safety issues to public consciousness.

The Corps Marshal who also lamented the spate of crashes on the nation’s highways which presently stands at 80 deaths per week, stressed the need for Nigerians to perceive road safety issues as a collective responsibility and further stated that the essence for the world day remembrance for road crash victims was for the entire global community to spare a thought for incapacitated victims of road crash and bereaved families , in addition to the sustainable policies and programmes to be initiated towards ensuring safer roads across the globe.

Speaking earlier at a special church service at the Cathedral of Advent Anglican Communion Gwarimpa, Abuja, Rev. Olusegun Majekodumi identified speed violation and general poor driving culture among Nigerian drivers as major causes of road crashes and urged motorists to complement the efforts of FRSC operatives towards reducing road carnage by complying strictly with road traffic codes and other measures to ensure safer road use in Nigeria.

It will be recalled that Nigeria joined the global community to commemorate the world day for road traffic crash victims in line with the United Nations resolutions A/60/5 of 26 October, 2005.