Crashes: Anambra FRSC Tasks Motorists on Daily Vehicle Checks

By Praise Chinecherem

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra State Command has charged motorists in the state to always ensure their vehicles were in good condition before heating the road.

The Sector training officer, DCC Caroline Adaora Oliseh gave the advice on Thursday during a training session organized by the Corps for members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra state Council.

Delivering paper titled, “Causes of Road Traffic Crashes”, Oliseh said carrying out daily checks of vehicles which she termed “morning parade” would go a long way to reducing road crashes.

She regretted that road crashes have resulted in more waste of lives and property than diseases and sundry ailments.

She identified human, mechanical and environmental factors as major causes of road traffic crashes, explaining that while human and mechanical are man-made, the environmental factor is nature driven.

“Research conducted on Road Traffic Crashes have shown that there are three major causes of road traffic crashes namely human factor, mechanical factor and environmental factor,” she said.

Oliseh further listed human factor to include: over confidence, speeding, lack of concentration, tiredness, driving under the influence of alcohol, dangerous overtaking and distraction.

“Examples of mechanical factors are malfunction of engine, tyre burst, brake failure, failed wiper during raining season, defective horn, electrical fault, absence of rear mirror and lack of reflective triangle.

“Environmental factors include heavy rain, collapse bridge, storm, river overflow, bad roads with pot holes and fallen trees on the road,” she added.

Responding, State Chairman, NUJ, Comrade Emeka Odogwu appreciated the FRSC Command for the training, describing the exercise as important to media practitioners in the state in view of their impacts in the society.

He assured that the lessons from the training would not only be beneficial to the journalists, but to the public at large through escalated reportage.