The Conference of Directors/Chief Road Traffic Officers of the Federation has vowed to strictly enforce compliance to safety/traffic rules to minimise road crashes as the yuletide approaches.
It also stated that it was determined to impound vehicles which fall short of expected road worthy standard.
The Conference’s national chairman, Engr. Paul Bepeh, who made the vow, also disclosed that statistics indicated that 90 per cent of all road crashes were caused by carelessness on the part of drivers.
Bepeh, who said this in Calabar while declaring open this year’s safety week with the theme ‘Say No To Road Crash…Your Safety is Our Priority,’ lamented the number of deaths, injuries and pains caused by careless driving.
“As Nigeria celebrates 60thindependence anniversary, there is need for all hands to be on deck to avoid colossal waste of Nigerians lives on our road” he stated, and also advised state government across the nation “to invest in equipping road traffic officers in their States for efficient service delivery,” he said.
While warning road users to adhere to the ten commandments of driving, which he said, could guide drivers on best ways to stay safe on the road, Bepeh said: “There is an urgent need for all road users to cultivate the culture of safe driving by studying the ten commandment of driving. According to statistics, 90 per cent of all crashes are attributed to drivers’ errors.”
He listed the said commandment to include the inculcating the 3Cs of driving which he explained as ‘caution, consideration, concentration; drivers having pre-trip mental inventory – light, weather, condition of road, traffic situation; Inculcating ‘safety first’ mindset/avoidance of aggressive and inattentive driving.
Bepeh also warned against indiscriminate overtaking, adding that “the best way to avoid potential danger is to position your vehicle where you have the best chance of seeing and being seen by other road users.”
He further advised drivers to always cut off distraction as it could divert attention and focus from driving.
