The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Rivers State has unveiled its plan to deploy 1,000 regular and special marshals for its 2024 Ember Months Special Patrol to help address the anticipated spike in traffic during this period. Inyang Umoh, the FRSC Sector Commander for Rivers, disclosed these details on Tuesday in Port Harcourt while briefing the press about the agenc ony’s road safety measures for the Ember Months.
According to Umoh, the campaign, themed *“Speak Up Against Dangerous Driving: Crashes Kill More Passengers than Drivers,”* will include public awareness activities, such as road shows and stakeholder meetings, across the seven unit commands in Rivers State. These events will aim to educate the public on the critical importance of road safety and responsible driving, especially during the Ember Months, a period marked by increased travel for family gatherings, festivities, and other social events.
Umoh explained that the Ember Months are often associated with a rise in road traffic accidents, primarily due to the heightened movement of people and goods. He pointed out that the increased traffic is compounded by dangerous driving behaviors, including overspeeding, overloading, illegal overtaking, substance abuse, use of worn-out tires, underage driving, and disobedience to traffic regulations.
“This time of year, there’s a considerable increase in movement for events like reunions, weddings, and funerals, which leads to more congestion and, regrettably, more accidents,” Umoh stated. “The FRSC is committed to preventing the loss of lives and property by tackling these avoidable road incidents head-on.”
The 1,000 marshals, drawn from both regular and special FRSC personnel, will be positioned at critical points across major highways in Rivers State. They will conduct intensified patrols, monitor driver behavior, enforce compliance with road laws, and address violations. The focus will be on proactive measures to mitigate the leading causes of accidents, with marshals providing timely intervention and assistance to road users.
Umoh emphasized that FRSC is particularly concerned about dangerous driving behaviors, which have led to significant fatalities and injuries during past Ember Months. He encouraged passengers to report reckless drivers and urged all road users to adhere to safety measures. “We have taken steps to ensure these behaviors are addressed promptly, and we’re calling on everyone to contribute to making our roads safer during this period,” he added.
The FRSC, in collaboration with community leaders, transportation unions, and other stakeholders, will also be hosting educational seminars to further enhance public awareness. Additionally, they will deploy road safety ambassadors who will engage with drivers and passengers at various locations, encouraging them to “speak up” against unsafe driving practices.
As part of the campaign, FRSC personnel will conduct routine vehicle checks to ensure roadworthiness, particularly monitoring for worn-out tires and other critical issues that could jeopardize safety. Umoh reminded drivers that they would be held accountable for infractions, with strict enforcement of penalties for violations such as overspeeding, dangerous overtaking, and other actions likely to endanger lives.
Umoh concluded by reiterating the FRSC’s commitment to reducing road casualties this Ember Month season, urging drivers to remain vigilant and respect all traffic regulations.
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