As part of efforts to combat traffic gridlock, and eliminate road traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities this end of the year, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has deployed it’s entire workforce, including Special Marshals to the highways to ensure hitch free movement as commuters travel from one destination to another across the nation.
The Corps achieved this through effective and efficient distribution of logistics and operational materials nationwide.
This logistics include the deployment of 157 administrative vehicles, 754 patrol vehicles, 143 ambulances, and 48 tow trucks.
This was in addition to deployment of radar guns to check speed violations, setting out 16 traffic control camps on different routes, as well as man 53 critical routes nationwide.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed who authorised the deployment also directed Commanding Officers to ensure 24 hours observatory along high volume traffic/gridlock prone areas, full mobilization of 23 Help Areas, adequate utilisation of 59 Emergency Ambulance (Zebra) Points, full mobilization of Road Side (RTC) Clinics, and 24/7 broadcast on National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM.
The 2024 Operation Zero Tolerance commenced on December 15, 2024 to span through to January 15, 2025.
The operation which is programmed to run in shifts as follows 06:00hrs – 14:00hrs, 14:00HRS – 20:00hrs, 20:00hrs – 22:00hrs, and Night Rescue teams on standby at all operational Commands
It is billed to cover the following critical corridors: Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Birnin Kebbi corridor, Katsina-Kano-Wudil-Dutse-Azare-Potiskum corridor, Kaduna-Saminaka-Jos corridor, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor, Okene-Ogori-Isua-Owo corridor, Makurdi-Otukpo-Obollo Afor-9th Mile corridor, Asaba-Abraka-Ughelli-Warri corridor, Ibadan-Ogere-Sagamu corridor, Sagamu-Mowe-Lagos corridor, amongst others.
Explaining some of the reasons for the year’s early and holistic approach to safer roads, the Corps Marshal said that the Corps had observed that a key characteristics of the period over the years was an upsurge in traffic volume, excessive speed, overloading of vehicles with goods, animals and persons, impatience by motorists who may not have adequately planned their journeys, or motorists managing mechanically deficient vehicles to and fro their travel destinations.
Mohammed said that the above mentioned were known to be the major causes of chaos and indiscipline among all classes of road users, leading to crashes, fatalities, loss of properties as well as traffic congestion/gridlocks.
The operation which compliments the ongoing ember months aggressive sensitization, will cover the broad areas of traffic control/decongestion, Public enlightenment, Enforcement, prompt response to crash victims, route lining among others.
The Corps Marshal emphasised that the enforcement was aimed at checkmating Excessive speed, Overloading, Dangerous Driving/Overtaking, Lane indiscipline/Route violation, Road Obstructions, Use of Phone while Driving, Overloading Violation, Seatbelt/Child restraint Use Violations, Passengers’ Manifest Violations, Mechanically Deficient Vehicles, Latching and Twist-Locks Violations.
The Corps Marshal also directed massive constitution of Mobile Courts across the nation.
The directive also mandated the Commanding Officers to ensure effective collaboration with Military Units, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Directorate of State Services (DSS), NGOs, Ambulance Service Providers, National Network on Emergency Road Services (NNERS) and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).
The Corps Marshal further said that the operatives would be charged with the responsibility of identifying alternative routes to assist motorists during gridlocks, and give notification of traffic distressed areas for intervention.
He therefore called on the motoring public to download the FRSC Mobile Application for real time reporting and update on traffic situations, utilise all FRSC social media handles (facebook.com//frscnigeria,Instagram.com//frscnigeria, twitter.com//frscnigeria, and in case of emergency, call the 122 toll free number as well as the National Traffic Radio live lines: 08052997848 and 09139600107 which are available means to reach FRSC to report Traffic situations anywhere in the Country.
The public can as well reach the situation room on 07054005754 and 07054005712 respectively.
Signed:
Olusegun Ogungbemide,
Assistant Corps Marshal,
Corps Public Education Officer
Federal Road Safety Corps Headquarters, Abuja.
cpeo@frsc.gov.ng
16 December, 2024.
