The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has urged political parties to respect and obey traffic rules during campaigns as only the living rules.

The agency also urged drivers to avoid speeding and recklessness on the road. The call was made during the launch of the ember months campaign in Ondo on Thursday.

Uakhemen Ojeamiren, FRSC’s zonal commanding officer in charge of Oyo, Osun and Ondo, flagged off the campaign at Ilesha motor park in Akure.

According to Ojeamiren, ember months are characterised by high vehicular movements and more accidents because of the tendency of drivers to be impatient and in a hurry.

He said motorists needed to avoid speeding, overloading, drinking alcohol, and using expired tyres to avoid road crashes.

The zonal officer added that FRSC had undertaken numerous enlightenment programmes in the media, motor parks and places of worship on the need for safe driving.

“I am appealing to motorists, particularly the people of Ondo state, to desist and have attitudinal change while driving to arrive safely during the yuletide. Drivers must be conscious while driving and avoid speeding, avoid (the) use of expired tyres and ensure that they have their driving licence with them,” he said.

Also, sector commander Ezekiel SonAllah, said it was important for stakeholders to collaborate and ensure safety on the road, pointing out that the command recorded about 20 per cent of crashes, the figure recorded within the same period in 2021.

According to him, 126 crashes involving 879 persons were recorded during the ember months of 2021. He said out of the figure, 148 were injured, and 96 died, adding that at the moment.

“I want to seize this opportunity to appeal to political parties to respect and obey traffic rules and avoid reckless driving during campaigns as only the living rules,” stated Mr SonAllah. “The command is out to remind you that you can only celebrate when you arrive alive, hence the need for united efforts against wrong use of the road.”

(NAN)