The Ondo State command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has called on motorists to always provide accurate and reliable data to enhance highway safety.

Ezekiel SonAllah, the state sector commander of FRSC, made the call on Monday in Akure during a public enlightenment to mark the West Africa Road Safety Organisation (WARSO) Day.

“There is a need for accurate and reliable road safety data because, without good data, it is a great challenge to identify patterns, trends and make informed decisions about road safety policies and practices,” he said.

According to him, as long as road crashes continue to rise, understanding the cause of accidents and how to prevent them will continue to be increasingly important.

“Crash investigations play a critical role in providing valuable insight into the events leading up to a crash and identifying contributing factors.

“So, through collaboration and data sharing, we can uncover valuable insights that can lead to more effective road safety policies and practices,” he said.

The FRSC sector commander, who called on relevant stakeholders to join hands with the corps to provide accurate data, said that this would help prioritise decision-making and work towards creating safer roads for all.

“With a continued commitment to this effort, we can make considerable progress in improving road safety and reducing the number of collisions on our roads, thereby saving lives,” he said.

Tobi Ogunleye, the special adviser to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on transport, represented by Alaba Adeleye, Director of Vehicle Inspection Service in the state, charged motorists to always imbibe the road safety culture while they are on the wheels.

Mr Ogunleye said that if motorists could collaborate with the relevant stakeholders, issues of crashes on highways would be minimal.

“There are lessons to learn from women because women will never drive bad or faulty vehicles, never drive without a licence, and neither will they drink beer while on the wheel,” he said.

Akinrinade Bashiru, Ajapada NURTW branch secretary in Ilesha Garage, Akure, who appreciated the corps for the programme, called on the FRSC and the government to provide road signs on highways to enhance safety and reduce accidents.

(NAN)