The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has urged political parties to respect and obey traffic rules during campaigns as only the living rules.
The corps also urged all drivers to avoid speeding and recklessness while on the road.
The call was made during the launch of the ember months campaign in Ondo State on Thursday.
Mr Uakhemen Ojeamiren, the Zonal Commanding Officer of FRSC in charge of Oyo, Osun and Ondo states flagged off the campaign at Ilesha motor park in Akure.
The theme of the 2022 ember months campaign is “Avoid Speeding, Avoid Overloading And Unsafe Tyres to Arrive Alive”.
Ojeamiren said the ember months were characterised by high vehicular movements and more accidents because of the tendency of drivers to be impatient and in a hurry.
He said that it was imperative for motorists to avoid speeding, overloading, intake of alcohol and use of expired tyres to avoid traffic accidents
The zonal officer said that the corps had undertaken numerous enlightenment programmes in the media, motor parks and places of worship on the need for safe driving.
“I am appealing to motorists particularly the people of Ondo state to desist and have attitudinal change while driving to arrive safety during the yuletide.
“Drivers must be conscious while driving and avoid speeding, avoid use of expired tyres and ensure that they have their driving licence with them,” he said.
Also, Ezekiel SonAllah, the Sector Commander, said it was important for stakeholders to collaborate and ensure safety on the road.
He said already, the command had recorded about 20 per cent road accidents of the figure recorded within the same period in 2021.
According to him, 126 road traffic crashes involving 879 persons were recorded during the ember months in 2021.
He said that out of the figure, 148 were injured and 96 died, adding that at the moment the command has barely recorded 20 per cent of what it did in the previous year.
“I want to seize this opportunity to appeal to political parties to respect and obey traffic rules and avoid reckless driving during campaigns as only the living rules.
“The command is out to remind you that you can only celebrate when you arrive alive, hence the need for united efforts against wrong use of the road,” he said.
The sector commander said erring driver would be dealt with decisively and assured that the road marshals would continue to take measures to save the lives of road users.
Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, represented by his Senior Adviser on Transport, Tobi Ogunleye, pledged more support to the FRSC to discharge its duties.
Akeredolu said the government had established a driving school to provide lessons and orientation for drivers, to ensure safe driving culture.
“We have re-launched the state Passenger Transit Safety Insurance Scheme where every passenger is covered in case of accident for free medical treatment.
“We will continue to construct and rehabilitate more roads, because the lives of our people is more important to us.
“We therefore call on other major stakeholders to join hands with the FRSC to save lives especially on highways,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the campaign was attended by the state Commandant of NSCDC, Olayinka Olatundun; representatives of the Police, Army, NDLEA and DSS, as well as the Deji of Akure, among others.