9th December, 2014
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Monday said that impatience was responsible for about 81 percent of accidents on the highways.
Mr. Godwin Ogagaoghene, the Zonal Commanding Officer in Charge of Ogun and Lagos State revealed in Lagos that road safety was a shared responsibility.
Ogagaoghene said that road safety was a responsibility that depended and shared by all road users.
According to him, road traffic crashes are an avoidable waste to the nation which individuals, the private sector and governments should make efforts towards reducing.
“Crash investigations in the zone have continued to affirm human elements as the most preponderant causative factor.
“Speeding, dangerous overtaking, use of phones while driving and impatience are the cause of about 81 percent of the crashes.
“Unsafe roads are created by road users, not the road itself and not the vehicle.
“Today, our roads are replete with drivers who are not receptive to emerging trends thereby increasing the chances of more crashes,” he said.
The FRSC official said that the zone had organised various campaigns and rallies at motor parks to address the negative mindsets of drivers.
According to him, a change from all tendencies towards speeding, over-confidence, dangerous driving, impatience, drunk-driving and dangerous overtaking would make the roads safer at the forthcoming festive seasons.
He added that the commission would do everything possible to enhance safety during the festive seasons.
Also speaking, Mr. Hyginus Omeje, the Lagos State Sector Commander said: “We know that roads are bad, but if our drivers can drive with care, they will get to where they are going.
“If everyone is patient and careful, all will celebrate Christmas and New Year with wives, children, siblings and friends.”
Omeje urged all motorists to adhere strictly to safety rules on the roads during the Yuletide and New Year celebrations.
He expressed optimism that the celebrations would be accident-free.