Security
THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Saturday sensitised hundreds of youths in Lagos State on auto crash preventions to mark the United Nations International Youth Day.
Mr Babatunde Farinloye, the FRSC Lagos State Sector Commander, while giving his remarks during the programme at MUSON Centre, Lagos, urged the youth to shun reckless and drunk driving.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos FRSC Command holds a Youth Hangout with the theme: “Faces Behind the Numbers” where the corps narrates the number of celebrities who have fallen victims of road accidents both locally and globally.
Farinloye, represented by Assistant Corps Commander (ACC) Esther Uzoma, the Unit Commander, Lagos Island, said that the Corps was using the celebration to enlighten the youth as 70 out of 100 auto crashes victims involved the youth.
According to him, each year, millions of people spend many days or months in hospital due to severe crashes and numerous are not able to go for work, play or even live again as they earlier do.
“Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) are responsible for the great number of morbidity and mortality, resulting in a significant burden globally.
“According to the World Health Organisation global status on road safety statistics, each year approximately 1.25 million people are killed on world roads and more than millions bear injuries, with suffering of long hospital stay or live with permanent disabilities.
“So, massive young potential is being destroyed including poor, between the ages of 15-44 years, and most often, breadwinners in their family; with also rise in social and economic consequences,” she said.
The unit commander said that more important factor for the risk of RTCs encompassed users’ problems, inclusive of drivers, pedestrians, and passengers.
She said that speeding was one of the human factors that contributed to crashes on the road.
The FRSC boss said that a single error such as high speed could have consequences of life or death.
“The use of alcohol by drivers is an additional constituent for traffic deceases.
“Different studies showed that fatality risk applies to both the road users as well as drivers.
“Such that high mortality rates related to traffic in overall population are completely associated with the percentage of alcohol user drivers,” she said.
Dr Lanre Olusola, the Guest Speaker, in his remarks advised the youth to always drive safely in the journey of life.
“Always slow down when you are driving because that’s only what can guarantee you arrive alive.
“Fix your mind so that can stay alive, don’t drive under the influence of substances.
“Separate yourselves from the addiction of using phone while driving, as prevention is better than cure”.
According to him, it takes focus, discipline and vision to stay alive.
Ms Julie Ohi-Nwoha, the National Head, Celebrity FRSC Special Marshals, in her contributions said that celebrities in the country had taken it as a duty to educate not only the youth, but the general public on the importance of safety on the road.
“We appeal to the youth out there to shun the habit of drunk driving as they were more affected during any occurrence,” she said.
Mr Femi Adebayo, a Nollywood Actor, said that the programme would help in ensuring the youth were highly enlightened in road safety culture.
Adebayo said that celebrities in the country would continue to propagate the road traffic rule and regulations and the danger in flaunting the rules.(NAN)
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August 13, 2023 @ 5:37 GMT|
Tags: Esther Uzoma Mr Babatunde Farinloye
