The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Rivers Command, has charged passengers to always speak up against dangerous driving to save lives during and after the Yuletide.

The Rivers Sector Commander, Inyang Umoh, gave the charge at a news briefing in Port Harcourt to launch the 2024 “ember months” safety campaign against reckless driving.

Umoh described the 2024 campaign theme, “Speak Up Against Dangerous Driving: Crashes Kill More Passengers than Drivers”, as apt.

He said that FRSC would use the campaign to showcase its sustained commitment and dedication to eradicating road traffic crashes, especially in Rivers and the country at large.

He further said that the campaign was aimed at drastically reducing road traffic crashes during the ember months through public enlightenment, strict enforcement of traffic laws and regulations, and enhanced collaboration with critical stakeholders, including traditional institutions, transport unions, and the media.

He emphasised that road safety is a shared responsibility and urged passengers to report traffic infractions that put lives at risk to the corps.

Umoh also said that passengers have the right to a safe trip and must speak out against reckless driving because they have the right not to be injured, killed, harassed, or their rights violated.

“Passengers and drivers must stay focused and vigilant while in transit, passengers should maintain a high level of comportment to avoid distracting the driver,” he said.

He attributed the increase in road traffic crashes during the Yuletide to human factors, such as speeding, overloading, wrongful overtaking, and use of drugs.

He also listed others to include alcohol abuse while driving, distracted driving, use of worn-out tyres, underage driving, driving against traffic, and general disobedience to traffic rules and regulations.

Umoh further emphasised that the corps remains committed to ensuring that drivers and passengers are equipped with the right information and knowledge on the best way to use the roads, with the ultimate goal of significantly reducing road traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths.

He appealed to critical stakeholders in the transportation sector to join forces with the FRSC to address road carnages.

“Motorists are expected to take full responsibility of their actions and inactions on the road by maintaining their vehicles and obeying traffic laws.

“Everyone must take proactive steps to provide hope, not fear, when using the roads as the consequences of our infractions would be severe, if we fail to address crashes-induced infractions on our roads.

“The command shall continue ensuring our operatives are fair, friendly and firm in the discharge of its duties of saving lives on our roads,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, for being a road safety friendly governor, and other critical stakeholders, including the traditional rulers, security agencies and the media for their unwavering support and assistance in ensuring safer monitoring environment in Rivers. (NAN)