The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun state Sector Command has deployed over 1,000 personnel to highways across Ogun State throughout the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The command also said, it has deployed 22 patrol vehicles, three life support ambulances, three motorbikes and one heavy duty tow Truck to ensure easy intervention to traffic distress from the boundaries of Ogun State with neighbouring states of Lagos, Oyo and Ondo States.
In a release signed by the Ogun State FRSC Public Education Officer, Florence Okpe, the State Sector Commander, Corps Clement Oladele said this deployment showed the FRSC’s commitment to reducing road traffic accidents by 15 percent and fatalities by 20 percent.
Oladele said, the special patrol operations would focus on excessive speed, Dangerous driving, wrongful overtaking, Llne indiscipline, use of phone while driving, seat belt violation, overloading violation, tyre violation (expired/ substandard) as well as Speed limiting devise violation and passenger manifest violation by commercial vehicles.
The FRSC boss warned motorists to slow down at that, construction zones where traffic was diverted especially at the 3km stretch of road between Fidiwo around Ogunmakin /Alapako , and also the 5km stretch of road between Mowe and Ibafo, specifically around Oremeji, which are all situated on the ever busy Lagos – Ibadan Expressway.
He equally advised road users to observe the road signs at Owode along the Abeokuta- Ota- Lagos corridor, currently undergoing rehabilitation.
Commander Oladele therefore, frowned at any motorist disobeying travelling at speed beyond 50km per hour or overtaking at designated construction zone, as these constructions zones, where traffic are diverted, albeit their very short distances, have been responsible for about half of the road traffic deaths in Ogun State this year.
He maintained that, motorists arrested for contravening construction zone regulations during this period may be impounded till after the yelutide.
He appealed to motorists to demonstrate the reason of this season by showing love to fellow road users by obeying traffic rules to arrive home safely to celebrate with their loved ones.
He however warned that, any motorist apprehended flouting traffic rules would be treated as driving dangerously and risk being prosecuted.
“A total of one thousand (1000) personnel comprising Regular and Special marshals have been deployed to oversee traffic activities on highways in Ogun state especially along Lagos – Ibadan, Sagamu- Ijebu ode , Abeokuta – Sagamu andw Abeokuta-Ifo-Sango- Otta- Lagos corridors.
“On the operational equipment deployed, the under listed operational equipments have been provided to ensure desired impact on the entire stretch of highways in Ogun state; 22 patrol vehicles, 3 life support Ambulances, 3 patrol motor bikes, Traffic control areas have also been established at Mowe , Sagamu, Ogere , Ogunmakin, Ijebu-Ode, Ifo, Otta and Abeokuta.
“In addition, all the FRSC Ambulances point at Itori, Sagamu Ijebu- Ode and Ogunmakin will operate 24 hours Rescue operation throughout the duration of the special patrol.
“It is important to particularly note construction zones where traffic is diverted especially at the 3km stretch of road between Sancrete and Fidiwo around Ogunmakin /Alapako , and also the 5km stretch of road between Mowe and Ibafo, specifically around Oremeji, which are all situated on the ever busy Lagos – Ibadan Expressway. Equally of note is Owode along the Abeokuta – Ota – Lagos corridor, currently undergoing rehabilitation”.
Meanwhile, the Ogun state Command of Federal Road Safety Corps has embarked on aggressive public enlightenment campaign at motor parks and religious institutions across the state on the notable construction zones on the highways where overtaking is prohibited.
The command therefore implored motorists and members of the public to contact the FRSC tool free number 122 in case of traffic emergency or other telephone numbers that could be reached in case of crash or obstruction are 08150646550, 08023832594.