In a bid to ensure free flow of traffic during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Delta Command, says it has deployed 475 officers and special marshals to major highways within the state.

The FRSC Sector Commander, Udeme Esiet, said in Asaba on Friday that patrol vehicles and ambulances had also been deployed.

The federal government had declared July 11 and July 12, as public holidays to mark the Eid-el-Kabir celebration by Muslim faithful across Nigeria.

Mr Esiet said that the deployment became necessary since the celebration involved mass movement of people across the state.

He said the special patrol was targeted at ensuring that all road users traversing through the state travelled in safety during the period.

According to him, the special patrol, as directed by FRSC headquarters, is expected to start from July 6 to July 13, and “to ensure free flow of traffic during this period; we have embarked on removal of obstruction on our roads.”

Mr Esiet said the command had also embarked on a public enlightenment to “check the health status of drivers, their blood pressure and sugar level.”

The sector commander said operational and recovery vehicles had been deployed for prompt response to road traffic crashes and clearing of obstruction on the road.

He said that FRSC had also started public enlightenment on speed violation; dangerous driving and overtaking; lane discipline and route violation and phone use while driving.

Mr Esiet said that enlightenment on overloading, driving under influence of alcohol and under-aged driving were ongoing at motor parks, churches and markets, urging motorists to cooperate with FRSC personnel and obey traffic rules and regulations.

(NAN)