By Chikaodi Chukwuleta
The Deputy Corps Commander Policy, Research, and Statistics Federal Road Safety Corps, Anambra Sector Command, Mr John Oku has called on Nigerians not to keep quiet when drivers through recklessness cause road traffic crashes especially during the rushing period of the year.
He made the call when he led other officers of the command and the Chairperson, Road Safety Officers Wives Association (ROSOWA) at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka on visitation as part of the activities marking the week-long 2024 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
The Annual Remembrance of Road Traffic Crash Victims initiated by the Resolutions of the Africa Union Executive Council and United Nations Resolution comes up every third week of November and in Anambra it began with a church service at the Living Faith Church, Awka.
The Deputy Corps Commander warned against human factors that cause accident which he said had sent many promising citizens to their early grave.
He identified driver’s negligence, failure to heed to traffic rules as well as poor training as responsible for road traffic crashes.
He said, “We’ve been running a week-long activity in commemoration of World Day for RTC Remembrance. We came here to see those RTC victims to give them some consumables to aid their quick recovery,” Oku said.
RTCs don’t just happen, they are caused either by the driver’s negligence, failure to heed to traffic rules or act when he is supposed to as well as poor training and many other issues.
“Like the theme for this year, more passengers die than drivers. RTC kills more passengers than drivers. So, don’t sit quiet if your driver is over speeding.
“Call him to order because when it occurs, it’s just one driver. Many passengers and road users will join.”
Also speaking, Chairperson, Road Safety Officers Wives Association, (ROSOWA), State Sector Command, Mrs Chinwe Nwokike stressed the need for road users to exercise greater restraints during the ember months as wrong human attitudes pose greater challenges to them.
She also appealed to drivers to be more careful with their desire for more profit.
“I’m just begging everybody to be very careful. Let us have our lives because it’s very important to our wives, our husbands, our children, and to all our relatives. Don’t bring sorrow into your family ahead of festivity.
“I also appeal to the drivers to drive with care. Remember that you are carrying human beings and not sardines. Be careful so that we’ll be safe,” she added.
