The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Sector Command, has revealed that 417 motorists have been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in the state between January and September 2023. Mr. Babatunde Farinloye, the State Sector Commander, disclosed this during the launch of the corps’ “2023 Ember Months Campaign” in Badagry.
The campaign’s theme is “Speed Thrills but Kills: Drive Responsibly and Avoid Overloading.”
Farinloye emphasised that driving under the influence of alcohol is one of the frequent offences recorded in the state, stating, “We do record more than 1,000 contraventions monthly, and arrests have not deterred people. That is why we have decided to bring in other measures such as education, sensitization, and training to address the problem and reduce road crashes.”
On the issue of containers falling from trucks, the sector commander stated that personnel have been deployed to tank farms, terminals, and ports to check and certify vehicles before loading. He stressed that these personnel ensure minimum safety standards, including vehicle standards, driver’s standards, and operator’s standards. Farinloye noted that most of the vehicles involved in accidents are old vehicles in the haulage business that have not been upgraded or replaced.
The road users were urged to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before travelling on highways. Mr. William Manga, the Unit Commander of FRSC’s Badagry Unit Command, highlighted that the theme of the 2023 Ember months campaign focuses on two key factors contributing to road crashes: speeding and overloading. He stated, “Speeding continues to be a major cause of road crashes in our country, as many drivers disregard speed limits and put themselves and others at risk.”
Manga emphasised the importance of obeying speed limit regulations and driving at a safe and reasonable speed. He added that lives are more important than reaching a destination a few minutes earlier. Overloading was identified as another significant cause of road crashes, and motorists were urged to follow recommended weight limits for their vehicles.
Mr. Joseph Gbenu, the Chairman of the Badagry-West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), encouraged motorists to prioritize safety while driving on Lagos roads. He suggested that the safety campaign should be conducted monthly to ensure a reduction in road crashes.
Alhaji Adeyemo Arigbabuwo, Chairman of the Lagos State Parks and Garden (LASPAG), pledged to collaborate with the FRSC to enhance road safety in Lagos. Alhaji Akeem Sanmi, Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Seme Kweme, expressed the union’s commitment to maintaining a ban on alcohol in all its parks in Badagry. He commended the FRSC for launching the campaign at Seme Motor Park.
