The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Jigawa Command, on Sunday linked the low rate in auto accidents recorded in the area in the last 11 months to coronavirus’ lockdown order.
The FRSC state Sector Commander, Mr Godwin Alphonsus, made this known in interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse.
Alphonsus who noted that COVID-19 contributed in lowering the rate of accidents since the road was empty due to the lockdown order, however, could not immediately give the accident figures of the months under review.
NAN reports that one of the measures taken by the Federal Government to control the spread of coronavirus during the pandemic was the enforcement of a sit at home order.
The sector commander however noted that road accidents had been on the increase among motorcycle operators, noting the reason for its current sensitisation drive.
“Motorcyclists are more reckless on the road, there was an accident recorded two days ago, involving two motorcycles carrying four persons each.
“The accident involved eight persons and it was head on collision and four people died in that accident,” Alphonsus said.
According to him, the corps has always been on the alert for traffic accidents.
“Accident is one of the major area where we are giving serious concern. All these enlightenments are geared toward the reduction in traffic accidents on our roads.”
“We have been to the Churches and Mosques, market places and motor parks and corporate offices, sensitising people on the essence of safety at this period of the year.
“Now we are at the pick of this preparations. Our preparation for this period is unique because we anticipate a very high volume of traffic with people going for Christmas and New Year and other cultural festivities.
“All our men and equipment will be put on the road. In fact, we have started a deployment of our men to Shuwarin flyover.
“Everyday our men are there to control traffic and stop those who commit road violations and overloading, especially on market days.
“We are deploying all our patrol vehicles and Ambulances, and we are in partnership with two commercial tow trucks, who are on standby to help us evacuate any breakdown vehicle that would likely cause gridlock on the expressway,’’ he noted.
He said the command also involved special marshals in the deployment bringing the strength of deployed men to 460 in all.
“We have three units in Gumel, Kazaure and Hadejia. We have an outpost at Birninkudu all these men will be distributed to these places.
“If there is any need for assistance, we encourage the public to call our toll free lines on 112 or 122,’’ Alphonsus said.
He, therefore, advised motorists to exercise patience while on the road.
“Be patient on the road. You should consciously share the road with other users. The road is to be shared, nobody owns the road, the road is for everybody.’’(NAN)
