By Jude Michael
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 its entire workforce, including Special Marshals to the highways to ensure hitch free movement as commuters travel from one destination to another across the nation.
A press statement signed by Olusegun Ogungbemide, Assistant Corps Marshal, Corps Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps Headquarters, Abuja, said 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 is in addition to deployment of radar guns to check speed violations, setting out 16 traffic control camps on different routes, as well as manning 53 critical routes nationwide,’ the statement disclosed.
It also said 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 15 December 2024 to span through to 15 January 2025.
‘The operation, which is programmed to run in shifts as follows: 0600hrs – 1400hrs, 1400HRS – 2000hrs, 2000hrs – 2200hrs, and Night Rescue teams on standby at all operational Commands, 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 the Corps had observed that a key characteristic 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.
According to him, 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 property, as well as traffic congestion/gridlocks.
‘The operation which complements the ongoing ember months aggressive sensitisation, 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.
‘In addition to the foregoing, the Corps Marshal also directed massive constitution of Mobile Courts across the Nation.
‘The directive also mandates 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), NGO Ambulance Service Providers, National Network on Emergency Road Services (NNERS) and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).
‘The Corps Marshal further stated that the operatives will be charged with the responsibility of identifying alternative routes to assist motorists during gridlocks, and give notification of traffic distressed areas for intervention. As such, he 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,’ the statement concluded.
