Governor Umar Dikko Radda of Katsina State has urged road users to imbibe good driving culture and acceptable safe practices as part of measures to reduce road traffic accidents.
He made the call on Thursday in Katsina at a town hall meeting of the 2024 Ember Months Campaign, organised by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Katsina Command.
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Radda was represented by Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu-Yar’adua, Director Press, Office of the Secretary of State Government.
“I want to urge all road users to imbibe good driving culture and acceptable safe practices by shunning dangerous driving, speeding, use of unsafe tyres, overloading of passengers and goods in the boot,” he said
He further called on the FRSC to intensify enforcement and arrest of erring motorists, and those with unregistered vehicles.
The governor identified factors responsible for crash fatalities to include speeding, overloading, use mobile phones and dangerous driving, among others.
The FRSC Sector Commander, Mr. Aliyu Ma’aji, said that the theme of this year’s ember months campaign is: “Speak up against dangerous driving: Crashes kill more passengers than drivers”.
Ma’aji said that the message from the FRSC Corps Marshall, Mr. Shehu Mohammed, stated that the FRSC has revised its public education strategy by introducing the new dynamic approaches.
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The approaches, according to the Corps Marshal, included mega town hall meetings, motorcades, transit, rest areas, and loading bays advocacy.
“The strategy arose from the need to engage passengers and encourage them to assert their rights, thereby curbing drivers’ excesses.
“It is on record that more passengers are killed in road traffic crashes than drivers,” he said.
According to him, focusing on re-educating passengers and helping them understand their rights, would assist to check the excesses of any driver who attempted to violate rights of his passengers.
“Passengers must avoid distractions and contribute to safe road use.
“Corps should actively engage commuters to ensure they are familiar with safety regulations, report reckless driving, use seatbelts, support responsible driving,” he said.
In his remarks, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji abdulmumini Kabir-Usman, represented by Alhaji Lawal Bagiwa, called on the FRSC to intensify collaboration with the emirate and other stakeholders to achieve the set goals.
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He urged passengers to desist from entering vehicles outside the designated motor parks, for their safety and security.
The State Chairman, NURTW, Alhaji Musa Garba, pledged to continue to work with the corps to ensure their members abide by traffic rules and regulations.
