Ahead of the Friday inauguration of Muhamadu Buhari as President of Nigeria as well as the swearing-in of 29 state governors across the country, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Boboye Oyeyemi, has admonished Nigerians to obey traffic rules and regulations while celebrating to ensure crash and obstruction-free events.

Mr. Oyeyemi gave the admonition in his ‘’2015 Democracy Day’’ message to the nation, pointing out that the event, which is marked on 29 May every year as public holiday in Nigeria, is characterized by increased vehicular movement across the nation’s highways, wide jubilation, traffic gridlocks, deaths and injuries caused by violation of traffic rules and regulations.

He said traffic management during the period was challenging in the past, and that it might even be more so this year due to the inauguration of new President and governors in some States.

‘’We have made adequate arrangements to effectively manage the expected rise in vehicular movement across the States of the Federation, including the FCT,” Mr. Oyeyemi said. “However, our major concern is the attitude of some motorists who may latch on the occasion to engage in reckless driving, overloading and speed violation with negative repercussions, not only to themselves but other road users.”

He added, ‘’All pedestrians must equally be mindful of their safety as they interact with the road to avoid being run-over by motorists. I urge all Nigerians not to bask in the euphoria of celebration to engage in acts capable of undermining traffic order, thereby causing themselves and others untoward and unnecessary pains.

“All Nigerians must use the road with the consciousness that it is only the living that celebrates. I am sure with such realization, Nigerians would celebrate devoid of unpleasant outcome and live to celebrate more democracy days to come.”