Yuletide: FRSC Deploys Entire Workforce, 1,102 Vehicles For Hitch-free Travels
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has deployed its entire workforce, including Special Marshals to the highways to ensure hitch free vehicular movement as commuters travel from one destination to another across the country.
The FRSC on its Facebook page on Monday, said the move, 2024 OPERATION ZERO TOLERANCE is aimed at combating traffic gridlock, as well as eliminating road traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities during and after the yuletide celebrations.
TheFact Daily gathers that the the operation, which commenced on 15 December 2024 and runs through to 15 January 2025, is being achieved through effective and efficient distribution of logistics and operational materials nationwide.
The Corps revealed that the logistics include the deployment of 157 administrative vehicles, 754 patrol vehicles, 143 ambulances, and 48 tow trucks, in addition to deployment of radar guns to check speed violations, setting out 16 traffic control camps on different routes, and manning 53 critical routes nationwide.
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 operation 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 that the Corps has observed that a key characteristic of the period over the years is 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 from their travel destinations.
These factors, he said, are known to be the major causes of chaos and indiscipline among all classes of road users, leading to crashes, fatalities, loss of properties as well as traffic congestion/gridlocks.
“The operation which compliments 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 said.
Corps Marshal Mohammed emphasised that the enforcement is 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.
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).
