Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, has warned that traffic chaos contradicts the spirituality of the period of Easter.
He gave the warning in his Easter message in which he called for deep reflection by Christian faithful on the need to show love to one another and others especially while using the roads.
According to Corps Public Education Officer, FRSC, Bisi Kazeem, the Corps Marshal also congratulated the Christians on the celebration, enjoining them to take the advantage of the spiritual benefits of the season which he said went beyond mere merriment.
Oyeyemi described the traffic chaos that is normally experienced during the period as uncalled for, saying it showed lack of consideration and love for one another by motorists.
He further stated that if all motorists showed equal love and care for one another as Jesus Christ did when he sacrificed his life for the salvation of humanity, there would have been no need for the mindlessness and gridlocks that characterise the annual celebration.
He called for attitudinal change by people through deliberate commitment to safety of lives and property on the nation’s highways, saying it was only through such self discipline and regulation that the much expected safer road environments could be guaranteed.
“I wish to seize the opportunity of the Easter celebration to call for deep reflection by people on the need for attitudinal change towards road safety and collective campaign against the menace of road traffic crashes in the country,” the Corps Marshal stated.
Speaking on the measures put in place by the FRSC to ensure safer and peaceful Easter celebrations, Oyeyemi reiterated that adequate numbers of personnel and logistics had been mobilised to cover all roads across the country with particular attention to the identified corridors where movement of traffic was expected to be higher during the celebration.
He urged motorists to drive with care; obey all traffic rules and regulations; avoid distractions through the use of phone while driving and ensure that all front and back seat passengers as well as children were properly belted up while on motion.
The Corps Marshal specially thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the immense support being given to the FRSC, especially with massive injection of patrol logistics.
This he said, had enhanced the operational capabilities of the Corps and created opportunity for the establishment of more unit commands and outposts across the country which he said would take effect soon following the last commissioning of 74 patrol vehicles and three ambulances provided to the Corps by the administration.
“All these would no doubt go a long way in making our efforts at creating safer road environment in the country possible,” Oyeyemi said.
He solicited the cooperation of members of the public and called on them to promptly report road emergencies to the FRSC toll free line: 122.
He assured that the call centre and other facilities of the Corps would be open and remain functional during the celebration and beyond.
While wishing everyone happy celebration, Oyeyemi enjoined motorists to drive to stay alive, saying it was only the living that could celebrate.
