The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued a stern warning to passengers, advising them against coaxing drivers to drive at excessive speeds. This advisory comes as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to promote road safety during the upcoming Sallah festivities.
During a recent sensitization campaign held in Calabar, Cross River State, FRSC operatives intercepted a driver who was under the influence of alcohol, preventing him from embarking on a journey. The sector commander for Cross River State, Innocent Tommy Etuk, emphasized that the campaign’s primary goal is to educate both motorists and passengers about safe driving practices during the holiday period.
Etuk highlighted the perilous nature of passengers urging drivers to speed, noting that such behavior often leads to fatal accidents. He stressed that passengers are not always in the right when they push for reckless driving, and drivers must remain calm and prioritize safety at all times.
“Travelers must place a higher value on arriving safely than on speed, because families eagerly await a safe reunion, not a tragedy,” Etuk remarked. He further revealed that the drunk driver, who was stopped, failed a breathalyzer test administered at the motor park. The driver’s alcohol level was recorded at 0.481 milligrammes, significantly exceeding the permissible limit for motorists. As a result, the driver was promptly taken off duty to avert any potential road accident.
“We cannot let such a driver continue his journey; it would be a disaster waiting to happen,” he concluded.