EMBER MONTHS CAMPAIGN: LASDRI PARTNERS LASTMA, FRSC, OTHERS ON SAFE DRIVING  

The Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI), in partnership with Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Coalition of Driving Schools, has taken ember months’ safe driving awareness to Lagos State highways.  

Speaking on the annual exercise themed, “Safe Driving during the Festive Season and Beyond”, the General Manager of LASDRI, Mrs. Afusat Tiamiyu said the sensitisation campaign was designed to enlighten the public on the need for safe driving before, during and beyond the festive season.   

Tiamiyu, represented by the Director of the Engineering Department. LASDRI, Engr. Kayode Oladesu noted that the annual sensitisation had yielded good results as commuters are more aware of safety precautions, especially during the yuletide season.  

In her words: “The usual practice of the institute in collaboration with other relevant road safety bodies has yielded good results. This is apparent in the reduction of road crashes and hazards during the ember period.  The essence of the sensitisation is to ensure that we consistently create top-of-mind awareness on safe driving to road commuters in Lagos”. 

“The festive season is usually ascribed to road mishaps due to the high influx of people travelling within and outside the country. Due to the peculiarity of the ember months, there is a need to sensitize people on the need to drive safely. Whether you are driving within the state or outside the state”, she advised. 

Also at the programme, the Public Relations Officer, Coalition of Driving Schools in Lagos State, Mr. Bolaji Idowu Goriola, emphasised that the onus of safe commuting is laden on the driver.  

Enjoining drivers to practice safety techniques on the roads and highways, Goriola urged intending drivers to make use of certified driving schools, adding that they have training instructors whose role is to teach about road safety and laws guiding driving on road signs, driving laws and codes. 

Also lending her voice, the Public Enlightenment Officer of FRSC, Lagos Sector Command, Route Commander Jesutomipe Mala said that increase in road crashes during the ember month is due to the increase in the social economic events which will lead to an increase in vehicular movement, maintaining that most of the road crashes are as a result of human error. 

She added that safe driving is a shared responsibility between driver and passenger, saying “The driver has his own role to perform by not drinking while driving, by having enough rest and being in a good state of mind before embarking on any journey. While the passenger on their own part need to speak up and caution any driver engaging in reckless driving”. 

She assured that the Corp will not relent in its use of various measures in enlightening the public on the essence of road safety and commuting.