The Federal Road Safety Corps has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing road crashes caused by drunk driving and fatigue, with a renewed focus on collaborative efforts with the judiciary and other stakeholders.

The FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, stated this during an interview on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Mohammed emphasised the importance of checking breath and alcohol intake among drivers as part of necessary measures to reduce road crashes.

He said, “We are collaborating with the judiciary to check breath and alcohol intake of drivers and you can see how important it is to check this. We are also working with the police to ensure that the sale of intoxicating materials in motor parks and garages is curtailed. This is important so that we can reduce the casualties and the point where those drivers are able to get those intoxicating substances.’’

Mr Mohammed, however, noted that the FRSC had made breath checks a routine part of its operations, with no operation conducted without checking drivers’ alcohol levels.

He also emphasised that the measure had been instrumental in reducing cases of drunk driving-related crashes.

“The use of breathalysers is almost a routine event and there is no operation we go for that we don’t check the alcohol level of drivers. So, we will not stop doing this, ” he said.

The FRSC corps marshal, however, emphasised that fatigue was another major contributor to crashes, often more so than alcohol.

He added, “What we need to encourage is what we call resting areas, I mean where they stop to rest, because part of the causes of crashes we have noticed is fatigue. Someone driving for seven to eight hours without rest is prone to sleep-related crashes. To address this issue, the FRSC is advocating for the establishment of rest areas where drivers can stop to rest and recharge.”

He assured that the corps would work closely with state governments and other stakeholders to identify suitable locations for these rest areas.

He stated, “By intensifying this, we aim to significantly reduce the incidence of road crashes and promote a culture of safety and responsibility among drivers. We are also confident that the collaborative efforts with the judiciary, police, and other stakeholders will yield positive results and make Nigerian roads safer for all users.”

(NAN)