FRSC warns politicians against reckless driving during campaigns

n n

The Federal Road Safety Corps has urged politicians and party supporters to avoid reckless driving, excessive speed and dangerous overloading during political campaigns.

n

FRSC Sector Commander in Gombe State, Mr Samson Kaura, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Gombe.

n

Kaura said the appeal was necessary to promote safe driving and responsible road use throughout the campaign period.

n

He urged political parties, candidates and supporters to comply strictly with traffic regulations to prevent endangering other road users.

n

According to him, reckless driving and excessive speed during campaigns could result in road crashes, injuries and loss of lives.

n

“Now that the campaigns have started, we call on political parties to ensure their drivers and campaign trains obey all road-use rules,” he said.

n

Kaura urged political stakeholders to sensitise their drivers, particularly against speeding in built-up areas where children and animals could cross roads.

n

“My advice to political stakeholders is that they should ensure that all their drivers are sensitised to avoid speeding, especially in built-up areas,” he said.

n

He said caution was particularly important around areas where children or animals might cross roads, to prevent avoidable casualties.

n

“We therefore call on you that whenever you are going for campaigns, ensure you obey all traffic laws and do not put members of public at risk,” he said.

n

Kaura said members of the public had the right to use roads safely, regardless of political activities taking place around them.

n

“It is expected that whoever you are or whatever party you belong to, you should obey rules and regulations,” he said.

n

He urged campaign participants to avoid actions capable of threatening their safety or that of other road users.

n

The sector commander also warned political parties and other motorists against substance abuse while driving, describing it as dangerous and unlawful.

n

“We are totally against substance abuse by drivers, not just for political parties but for every road user,” Kaura said.

n

He said using substances capable of influencing a driver’s behaviour could impair safe driving and increase the likelihood of road crashes.

n

“Substance abuse impairs vision and reduces the level of reasoning, which increases the chances of road crashes,” he said.

n

Kaura warned that drivers caught abusing substances while on the road would face the consequences prescribed by law.

n

He said the FRSC had commenced sensitisation of political stakeholders in Gombe State to promote responsible driving throughout the campaign period.

n

Kaura also urged political parties to educate their drivers and ensure that only properly licensed drivers were allowed to operate campaign vehicles.

n

He further cautioned against overloading, particularly when supporters climbed onto vehicles or were packed beyond their safe capacity.

n

“Overloading will only increase the number of casualties in cases of crashes, and that is why we are saying no to overloading,” he said.

n

(NAN)

n n