The Ogun State Sector of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) announced that the “Ember Month Special Patrol Operations” for 2022 have begun and will run from Sunday, December 15, 2022, to Wednesday, January 15, 2023.
Additionally, it was revealed that a total of 1,870 people, including Regular and Special Marshals, had been mobilized and deployed to monitor traffic operations on state highways throughout the time period.
These were said in a statement provided to journalists in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, and signed by the FRSC Public Education Officer for the state of Ogun, Superintendent Route Commander Florence Okpe, on behalf of the State Sector Commander Ahmed Umar.
The special patrol operations, according to Umar, “would concentrate on violation of speed limits by all categories of vehicles; route violations; dangerous driving; wrongful overtaking; lane indiscipline; use of a phone while driving; seat belt use violation; overloading; tyre violation (expired/substandard); unlatched cargoes and unsecured containers; child restraint violation; passengers manifest violation (by commercial vehicles), and use of a phone while driving.
“A total of 1,870 personnel, including Regular and Special Marshals, have been mobilized and deployed to oversee traffic activities on highways throughout Ogun state, particularly the Lagos-Ibadan, Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu-Mosinmi-Ikorodu, Abeokuta-Sagamu, Abeokuta-Ibadan, and Abeokuta-Ifo-Sango-Ota-Lagos Corridor.
In order to ensure the desired effect on the entire stretch of expressways and highways across Ogun state, he continued, 46 patrol vehicles, 10 advanced life support ambulances, 8 patrol motorbikes, 4 heavy-duty tow trucks, radar guns to detect the speed of approaching vehicles, breathalyzers to test drivers for alcohol consumption, and exciciating machines to rescue trapped crash victims had been provided.
In order to facilitate quick response to traffic distress from the state’s borders with neighboring states of Lagos, Oyo, and Ondo States, Umar pointed out that the FRSC has established traffic control locations to be manned by FRSC personnel, assisted by sister security and emergency services.
“Equally, all FRSC ambulance stations in Ogun State in Siun, Itori, Sagamu, Ijebu Ode, and Ogunmakin, as well as the night rescue teams at various FRSC formations, would undertake 24-hour rescue operations throughout the length of the Special Patrol Operations,” the statement reads.
The FRSC Ogun State Command has also started aggressive public awareness efforts around automobile parks all over the state, Umar continued.
He advised motorists traveling during this period to be extra careful and ensure their journeys are properly planned, with their vehicles routinely serviced, adding that they should pay special attention to construction areas where overtaking is prohibited and maximum speed is perked at 50km per hour, especially at construction zones where traffic is diverted.
Umar urged drivers to exercise caution and abstain from reckless behavior, especially on the newly opened Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
In order to get home safely, the Sector Commander “implored drivers to represent the reason for this season by demonstrating love to fellow road users by sharing the road responsibly and observing traffic laws.”
The slogan of this year’s Special Patrol Operations, “avoid speeding, overloading, and dangerous tyres to arrive alive,” was another thing he advised drivers to adopt.
Therefore, he issued a warning that any driver caught breaking the law during the holiday season for a route violation, reckless driving, or other traffic infractions would have their vehicles seized and face appropriate legal action.
In order to complement the Special Patrol Operations across the road corridors in Ogun State, Umar continued, “The FRSC would strengthen the conduct of mobile courts during the Yuletide.”
He stressed that “this would be done through the social media in collaboration with the print and electronic media” and that the Command will provide timely traffic information on corridors across the State to assist drivers in enjoying a seamless travel experience.
Additionally, listeners can get this traffic broadcast online via National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM Abuja.
