The Federal Road Safety Corps, Kwara State Command, has deployed 950 personnel for Christmas and New Year operations.
The personnel include officers and marshals, comprising 350 Special Marshals,120 first respondents, 40 patrol vehicles, two power bikes, four ambulances, four private tow trucks and a 70-ton tow-truck as it commences the end of year special patrol operations tagged “Operation Zero Tolerance to Road Traffic Crashes” from 15 December 2023 to 15 January 2024.
The special patrol is to serve as a deliberate intervention towards the reduction of road traffic fatalities and injuries through the removal of obstructions and prompt rescue of road crash victims, amongst others.
The Corps explained that special operations are necessitated by the attendant increase in the movement of vehicles across road corridors in Kwara State during the Christmas and New Year festivities and the need to address road traffic encumbrances associated with such an increase.
A statement by the Public Education Officer of the Kwara Sector Command, Basambo Olayinka Busari, stated that the State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Stephen E Dawulung, has also deployed personnel for traffic control at strategic locations within Ilorin township and major cities in the state during the period of the special patrol.
The Sector Commander, admonished motorists to obey traffic rules and regulations, avoid excessive speeding, overloading, obstruction, use of phones while driving, passenger manifest violation, operating mechanically deficient and rickety vehicles, route violation, and driving with worn-out tyres, among others.
He also emphasized the need for drivers to avoid night journeys and take adequate rest of 30 minutes after every four-hour drive as the safety of life should be prioritized over pecuniary gains.
To ensure the free flow of traffic during the end-of-year festivities, the FRSC Kwara State Command will further organize public enlightenment campaigns/mega rallies in all interstate motor parks, early morning cries and advocacy at places of worship and markets to sensitize the motoring public in Kwara State.
The Command will also carry out special traffic control operations to ease the road congestion in the Ilorin metropolis, with three other traffic control camps established at Bode Saadu, Jebba and Olooru to ease traffic within the respective axes.
The heavy tow truck, ambulances and standby rescue teams will be stationed along major highways within the state for immediate clearance of obstructions and rescue operations when the need arises.
The Operation is also in line with Goal 1 of Federal Road Safety Corps’ 2023 Corporate Strategic Goals, which stipulates a 5 per cent reduction in road crash fatalities and injuries.
Kwara FRSC deploys 950 personnel for Christmas, New Year operations