The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has introduced new strategies aimed at reducing Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) by shifting from traditional motor park rallies to community-based initiatives. This move was announced by the Corps Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, in a statement released in Abuja on Thursday.
Key Changes in Strategy
Ogungbemide highlighted concerns regarding the decreasing effectiveness of motor park rallies, which had been the primary method of engaging drivers and the public in road safety education. He noted that the rallies often failed to reach their target audience effectively, as many drivers, particularly in the commercial sector, were not present during these events.
To address this, the FRSC has adopted town hall meetings and press conferences as alternative strategies to communicate road safety messages. This approach aims to better engage communities and ensure that crucial safety information reaches drivers and commuters where they are most likely to gather.
Focus on Community Engagement
The FRSC’s new method emphasizes:
- Interactive Communication: Town hall meetings and press conferences will allow for more direct and engaging discussions about road safety, involving various stakeholders within the community.
- Broader Reach: The use of mosques, churches, and other community settings will facilitate outreach to a wider audience, ensuring that road safety education is accessible to all segments of the population.
- Addressing Lawlessness: With rising incidents of reckless driving and road traffic fatalities, the FRSC aims to address these issues directly through more effective public engagement.
Commitment to Safety
Ogungbemide reiterated the commitment of the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, to eradicating road traffic crashes by enhancing communication methods. The new strategy will also include special yearly campaigns during the ember months, a period typically associated with increased traffic and road safety risks.
He encouraged the public to actively participate in the new campaign methods, emphasizing the need for communal ownership of road safety initiatives. Engaging the public, particularly vulnerable commuters, is vital to averting the social and economic losses caused by RTCs.
The FRSC remains the leading agency in road traffic management and safety, dedicated to using clinical and enforcement strategies to foster safer road environments across the country.
