In a bid to curb the rate of road accidents in the ‘ember month,’ the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Monday issued safety advisories to travelers and commuters.

The Corps Marshal, FRSC, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi made this known in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO) ACM Bisi Kazeem on Monday in Abuja where he said that the Corps had also begun a nationwide campaign in order to minimise the tendencies of crashes and gridlocks in Ember months.

The Marshal urged the motoring public to make the year 2020 ’ember’ months unique and crash-free by adhering strictly to road traffic regulations as  this year’s ember months nationwide campaigns tagged, “Drive safe and stay safe.”

Oyeyemi who maintained that road traffic crashes were avoidable and road crash-free society was possible when best road practices were applied, however, cautioned motorists to note that the end of the year was not naturally tragic and was not in any way different from other months of the year.

He noted that there seems to be an increase in vehicular movement witnessed during the season and rejected the myth  which states that the last four months of the year commonly referred to as ’ember months’ were hazardous for motorists.

In the words of Oyeyemi, he said “It is very possible to drive without involving in a crash as long as motorists obey and adhere strictly to traffic laws and ensure constant maintenance of their vehicles.”

Oyeyemi who acknowledged the rapid infrastructural development going on in the rail transportation sector under the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, advised commuters to maximise alternative means of transportation by patronising the train stations where available, as this would significantly reduce the pressure on the road transportation sector adding that the travelling public should consider their plans early enough in order to reduce pressure and traffic on the road.

The Corps Marshal who also emphasized the need to take caution when choosing the vehicles to board especially for long-distance trips admonished commuters to patronise safe and secure mass transit companies that have been duly certified to operate adding that it would make room for redundancy plans in the event of a vehicle breakdown.

Oyeyemi stressed that that night trips were not as safe as day trips, thus, travellers must try as much as possible to plan their trips within the hours of the day because of visibility and fatigue factors on the side of the driver. He further warned that all travelling protocols for COVID-19 must be strictly adhered to by both drivers and passengers.

Buttressing further, he said, “Terminals and parks are expected to double up their efforts in providing adequate running water with soap and sanitiser in their parks and terminals.

“While maintaining physical distancing, all vehicles must have hand sanitiser inside them and avoid as much as possible, the use of air conditioner among others.”