The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it has deployed no fewer than 1,769 personnel and other operational assets to ensure hitch-free Christmas and New Year festivities in Kaduna State.

The Acting Sector Commander, Garba Lawal, made the disclosure in a statement issued on Saturday in Kaduna.

Mr Lawal said the 1,769 personnel deployed are made up of 290 Officers, 979 Marshals and 500 Special Marshals.

According to him, the measure is to ensure sanity on Kaduna highways, especially during this Yuletide celebration and the electioneering campaign.

“In addition, five power bikes, one fire truck, two tow trucks, 10 ambulances; two from the Kaduna State Government to boost the logistics support of the Corps, equipment such as extricating machines, traffic cones, body cameras, radar gun, breathalysers and patrolites have been deployed.”

He explained that these will be distributed along designated routes as part of measures towards ensuring hitch-free Yuletide between December 20 to January 15, 2023.

Mr Lawal said this exercise is pursuant to the corps 2022 Corporate Strategic Goals of 15 per cent reduction in Road Traffic Crash Fatality.

“These are designed to address the perennial rise in vehicular movement and the violation of traffic rules and regulations, especially during festive season.

“We will frown against over speeding, overloading, night journeys, tyre violation, Impatience, fatigue, use of seat belts, use of phone, child restraint, conveyance of unlatched containers and mechanical defects.

“Consequent upon this, we will carry out massive deployment of personnel and logistics along critical flash points and road diversions such as Olam Farm, Doka, Kakau and Jere along Kaduna-Abuja highway,” he said.

He stated that the exercise will also witness the setting of traffic control and rescue camps, especially at Rigachikun, Kwanan Farakwai and Durbin Rauga by officers and men of the command.

He added that 14 Unit Commands, 7 outposts, 13 station Offices and 10 Ambulance service points are fully activated along six major roads .

“The roads included Kaduna-Abuja, Kaduna-Zaria, Zaria-Kano, Kaduna-Birnin Gwari and Kaduna-Kachia, Kachia-Barde Forest, Akwanga-Gwantu highways as parts of measures to mitigate speed-related crashes during the festive season.

The Road Safety chief reminded the motoring and general public that the 2022 end of year patrol theme still remains – “Avoid speeding, overloading and unsafe tyres to arrive alive”.

“We call for everyone’s support in order to reduce crashes on our roads,” he said.

He urged the motoring public to watch out for diversions and black spots along Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highways especially places like Olam Farm, Kakau, Katari, Jere, Audu Jangwam, Kwanan Tsintsiya, Lamban Zango.

Mr Lawal warned motorists to ensure strict compliance with traffic rules and regulations while maintaining regular vehicle maintenance, sound state of health and mind, because only the living can celebrate.

“The  command wishes motorists and commuters a hitch-free celebration and a prosperous New Year,” Mr Lawal said. 

(NAN)