The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Abia Sector Command, says it has deployed 500 regular marshals and 300 special marshals to strategic locations in the state for a hitch-free Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The Sector Commander, Mr Fredrick Ogidan, said this at a news cconference on Friday in Umuahia, while speaking on the command’s level of preparedness for the celebration.
Ogidan said, “Our patrol men are already on the road doing speed calming, cautioning drivers and ensuring that people drive safe to their destination.”
He said that the major preoccupation of the corps during such festive periods was not to arrest but ensure that the road would be free of any obstructions and gridlocks.
Ogidan said that dangerous driving and overtaking, lane indiscipline as well as excessive speed often lead to road crashes.
He, therefore, warned the motoring public against engaging in such acts.
He also said that such road traffic infractions were common on the highways, adding that FRSC personnel were already on the roads to keep the situation under control.
The sector commander further said that the command had deployed vehicles for effective patrol and tow trucks for promp clearance of obstructions on the highway.
He said that the corps was collaborating with Abia Emergency Medical Services, Fire Service, Homeland Security and other security agencies to ensure effective implementation of all directives for a safe celebration.
He also said that the command had set up a traffic control camp and rescue operation point, with a health section that would offer first aid to accident victims before taking them to hospital.
“Our ambulances would be visible, our tow trucks would be positioned where they could be easily called and our men will be on the road throughout the day.
“In the office, we have a 24 hours rescue team on ground and we can be contacted on our 122 line, which is toll free,” Ogidan said.
He said that the command had commenced effective enforcement of disallowing the use of trucks and articulated vehicles to convey passengers and goods simultaneously.
“We have visited the Lokpanta Cattle Market to further drive the message home that any articulated vehicle conveying goods and passengers would be stopped and sanctioned.
“The passengers on the trailer will be made to take appropriate alternative means of transport, while the trailer driver would be made to pay fines,” he added
Ogidan said that the Abia Government had provided the command with special courts to facilitate timely prosecution of traffic offenders.
“Our special operation starts from today to the 21st.
“During the programme, we will be doing a lot of arrest of traffic offenders and arraigning them before a magistrate for prosecution.
“There is yet another arrangement, which is the prosecution of drivers of vehicles involved in crashes, resulting in death of passengers.
“The driver will be prosecuted not just for minor traffic offence but for driving a vehicle in a manner that led to the loss of life and property.
“We would be organising a minimum of two mobile courts, doing one on the 19th and another on the 20th,” Ogidan said.
He advised Abia residents to abstain from causing road obstructions, use of phones while driving and overloading of vehicles.
He also urged motorists to wear seat belts and use child restraints because they have the ability to reduce the impact of any crash by at least 50 per cent.
“All hands are on deck to ensure that the celebration period is hitch-free and accident-free,” Ogidan said.