FRSC, NB take stand against reckless driving

Federal Road Safety Corps and Nigerian Breweries plc have once again reiterated their resolve to promote responsible drinking among drivers and create awareness about the dangers of drunk driving.

Nicolaas Vervelde, managing director of Nigerian Breweries plc, stated this at the ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’(DDD) campaign held in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) at Oshodi Motor park in Lagos recently.

Vervelde explained that this year’s campaign will be held in four states in Nigeria, advising drivers to ensure that their vehicles are in good condition while also obeying all traffic rules and regulations.

Vervelde who was represented by Emete Tonukari, the corporate social responsibility/sustainability manager, said through the firm’s objective of winning with Nigeria, NB plc, had donated books to over 20 schools across Nigeria and also built and renovated classrooms and libraries.

Besides, she said the company has also created, funded, constructed and donated boreholes in several communities in addition to a number of health sector interventions carried out through the Heineken Africa Foundation.

The NB plc boss commended the zonal commander of zone RS8, FRSC and his team for their commitment, hard work and dedication towards ensuring discipline and safety on the highways in order to have accident free roads.

On his part, Chidi Nkwonta, the Lagos sector commander of FRSC, warned motorists that men of the agency were on the prowl to ensure strict compliance to traffic rules in the state, especially on the highway. He explained that the agency wants to ensure sanity of driving on the roads, while appealing to motorists to show understanding and respect for men of the FRSC during routine checks.

According to him, road vices such as speed violation, drunken driving non-use of seat belts, safety helmets, use of cell phones while driving and other negative trends, which have contributed towards widening the gap of road crash fatalities on Nigerian roads, would be strictly enforced during this period.

He added that traffic offenders would also be tried for various miscellaneous driving offences and would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Commenting, Samuel Ogundayo, unit commander, FRSC Oshodi, said that drinking of any form while driving distracts attention, as the driver loses concentration, adding that the most dangerous of them all is alcoholic or alcohol-based drinks like the ones sold in motor parks across the country.