By Bridget Ikyado
A group, Road Caution Awareness Initiative, has commenced sensitisation of motorists on the dangers of speeding and reckless driving, especially during the Yuletide.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the road safety awareness campaign was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Benue Link motorpark, Area 3 Garki, Abuja.
The group’s founder, Noah Tsumbu, said road traffic safety should be of concern to every Nigerian, irrespective of whether one owned a vehicle or not.
He urged drivers to always wear seat belts, avoid over speeding, wrong overtaking, phone calls and other acts that would endanger their lives and those of others.
Tsumbu explained that the group has been running road safety campaigns using multimedia and different forms of arts to promote road safety culture in Nigeria.
“We have four main aims, which are to create good understanding between road users and concerned authorities.
“Bring about reliable transport services through encouraging safer road use, raise volunteers to be part of road safety culture campaign and make road use safer,” he said.
He advised drivers to concentrate, obey traffic rules and maintain their routes while on the road.
Tsumba also urged drivers to be patient while on wheels and show concern for others, as well as proper road usage in order to avoid traffic crashes and its attendant negative consequences.
In his remarks, the group’s Coordinator, Mr Eze-Ezekwesiri Ohayagaha said the campaign was designed to assist the Federal Road Safety Corps in educating drivers and commuters on safe raod culture.
He said this would reduce road traffic accidents and encourage people to embrace road safety culture.
“The essence is to create awareness for drivers to understand what it means to be on the road during the festivities.
“At the same time we talked to passengers about road culture which involves passengers, motorists and pedestrians,” Ohayagaha.
He commended government on efforts being made to improve roads across the country, but said more still needed to be done to make roads motorable across the country.
The coordinator advised vehicle drivers, owners and companies to ensure that their vehicles were in good condition before putting them on road.
One of the drivers, Mr James Adingii, commended the group for the initiative, saying they have learned new things about traffic rules, road worthiness and other things to look out for when driving and loading vehicles.
NAN reports that the group distributed leaflets and souvenirs on road safety to commuters and drivers (NAN)