During the launch of the 2023 Ember Month Safety Campaign, SC Istifanus Ibrahim, the Sector Commander of the Cross River Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), clarified that road traffic crashes in Nigeria are not caused by witches but by the recklessness of drivers.
The campaign’s theme for 2023 is “speed thrills, but it kills, drive responsibly and avoid overloading.”
Ibrahim explained that the last four months of the year saw increased traffic and economic activities. Commercial drivers often try to make more money during this time.
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What are the causes of accidents?
While the Ember months are similar to any other time of the year, there is a higher occurrence of road traffic accidents due to motorists driving too fast and disregarding regulations.
He emphasized that the belief that evil spirits are responsible for these accidents during the Ember months is unscientific. Road accidents result from human errors, mechanical issues, and environmental factors.
The Ember months campaign aims to complement existing efforts to eliminate overloading, speeding, and other risky behaviours, with the goal of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by five per cent.
Governor Bassey Otu, who launched the campaign, highlighted that speed can be exciting but also carries significant risks if not managed responsibly. He emphasized that when people drive, they are responsible for their safety, their passengers’ safety, and the safety of others on the road.
To prevent accidents, responsible driving, adherence to speed limits, and avoiding overloading are essential. Otu stressed the need to balance the thrill of speed with the responsibility of ensuring road safety and urged everyone to contribute to making the roads safer for all.
