Road Safety : FCT FRSC Harps On Concentration While Driving

The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has urged drivers to avoid distractions as part of efforts to reduce road crashes during the 2025 Ember Months.

At a town hall meeting in Abuja to flag off this year’s campaign, themed “Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving,” the FCT FRSC Sector Commander Mr Felix Theman said the Corps was concerned about the rising number of avoidable accidents linked to inattention behind the wheel.

According to him, more than 27,000 drivers were arrested in the last quarter for offences including phone use, speeding, and driving against traffic.

The Sector Commander said the Corps has identified Airport Road, Nyanya–Mararaba, and Kubwa Expressway as major high-risk routes within the FCT, often associated with reckless driving, speeding, and mechanical failure.

He argued that most crashes result from human error rather than poor roads or vehicle defects and pledged to intensify public enlightenment through the media, transport unions, and community-based groups to promote safer driving culture and shared responsibility.

A retired Assistant Corps Marshal Jonas Agwu, urged the Corps to strengthen enforcement against distracted driving, warning that the menace kills more people than terrorism.

He expressed concern that Nigeria lacks reliable national data on distracted driving despite its significant role in road crashes.

He noted that global data, shows that road accidents claimed about 1.19 million lives in 2021, compared with just over 8,000 deaths from terrorism in 2023.

Agwu said that distractions such as phone use, eating, emotional stress, or personal grooming can increase the likelihood of a crash by up to 23 times.

Representing the FCT Minister, the Director of Security Service Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA)
Mr Adamu Gwary commended the FRSC for sustaining its public enlightenment programmes but urged the Corps to focus more on youths in future safety campaigns.

He also called on residents of the FCT to adhere strictly to road safety rules and regulations, especially during the busy Ember period.

In their goodwill messages, stakeholders in the transport sector and security agencies commended the FRSC for maintaining its safety drive and pledged continued collaboration to ensure safer roads.

They emphasized the need for driver discipline, regular vehicle maintenance, and public compliance with traffic laws.

Kayode Oyedare, Edited By Grace Namiji