Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina has urged road users to imbibe a good driving culture and acceptable safe practices to reduce road traffic accidents.

He made the call on Thursday in Katsina during a town hall meeting of the 2024 Ember Months campaign, organised by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Katsina command.

Mr Radda, represented by Abdullahi Aliyu-Yar’adua, director press, office of the secretary to state government (SSG), Abdullahi Garba-Faskari, said the call became imperative in view of the rate of accidents on the nation’s highways.

“I want to urge all road users to imbibe a good driving culture and acceptable safe practices by shunning dangerous driving, speeding, using unsafe tyres, and overloading passengers and goods in the boot,” he said.

He further called on the FRSC to intensify enforcement and arrest of erring motorists, as well as those with unregistered vehicles.

The governor identified factors responsible for crash fatality in the country to include speeding, overloading, use of mobile phones and dangerous driving, among others.

The FRSC sector commander, Aliyu Ma’aji, said that the theme of this year’s ember months campaign is: “Speak up against dangerous driving: Crashes kill more passengers than drivers”.

Mr Ma’aji said that the message from the FRSC corps marshall, Shehu Mohammed, stated that the FRSC had revised its public education strategy by introducing new dynamic approaches.

“The approaches, according to the Corps Marshal, include mega town hall meetings, motorcades, transit rest areas, and loading bays advocacy.

“The strategy arose from the need to engage passengers and encourage them to assert their rights, thereby curbing drivers’ excesses.

“It is on record that more passengers are killed in road traffic crashes than drivers,” he said.

He said focusing on re-educating passengers and helping them understand their rights would assist in checking the excesses of any driver who attempts to violate the rights of his passengers.

“Passengers must avoid distractions and contribute to safe road use.

“Corps should actively engage commuters to ensure that they are familiar with safety regulations, report reckless driving, use of seatbelts and support for responsible driving,” he advised.

In his remarks, the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumin Kabir-Usman, represented by Lawal Bagiwa, called on the FRSC to intensify collaboration with the emirate and other stakeholders to achieve the set goals.

He urged passengers to desist from entering vehicles outside the designated motor parks for their safety and security.

The chairman, NURTW in Katsina, Musa Garba, pledged a consistent working relationship with the corps to ensure members’ compliance with traffic rules and regulations.

(NAN)