TRACE INTENSIFIES ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN

 TRACE INTENSIFIES ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN

The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Ota Division, has intensified its road safety awareness campaign following a disturbing rise in road accidents across the State.

The Area 4 Commander of TRACE, Com. Adekunle Ajibade, made the call during a public enlightenment programme at Ota, Ogun State, where representatives of security agencies, emergency responders, transport unions and other stakeholders stressed the need for strict compliance with traffic regulations and responsible road use.

Speaking at the event, Ajibade, described public sensitisation as a vital strategy for reducing road crashes and saving lives, urging motorists, commercial drivers and other road users to obey traffic signs, adhere to traffic regulations and embrace safe driving practices at all times.

Also speaking, Head of Planning and Statistics, TRACE, Commander Ojuoro Olushola, disclosed that road accident figures in Ogun State had continued to rise, describing the trend as alarming.

According to him, seventy-four road crashes resulting in forty-seven deaths were recorded during the first quarter of last year, while the first quarter of this year witnessed an increase to eighty-eight accident cases and sixty-five fatalities.

Ojuoro, urged motorists to exercise caution while driving and adopt defensive driving techniques to reduce the risk of accidents on the roads.

The Divisional Commander of TRACE, Agbara Division, Commander Adekanbi Onashoga, identified human error, adverse weather conditions and mechanical failures as major causes of road crashes, noting that many accidents could be prevented if motorists ensured that their vehicles were roadworthy and complied with safety standards before embarking on journeys.

In separate remarks, the Divisional Police Officer of Ota Central Division, CSP. Peter Onime; the representative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), CSC. Musbau Babatunde; officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Toll Gate Division; Com. Adamu and representative of the Ogun State Fire Service, Prince Olushesi Ayoola, advised travellers to patronise only approved motor parks when embarking on journeys.

The stakeholders warned that boarding vehicles from unauthorised locations could expose passengers to criminal activities, including kidnapping and robberies. They further advised drivers to remain humble, vigilant and focused behind the wheel, regardless of their years of driving experience.

       Responding, representatives of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Sango Branch, Alhaji Basiru Ajekigbe and Mr. Babatunde Ishola, commended TRACE and its partner agencies for organising the sensitisation programme, describing the initiative as timely and necessary.

The Ota Trace Divisional Officer, Cmdr. Hammed Salau, expressed appreciation to all the stakeholders and participants present at the programme, urging motorists, commuters and other road users to strictly adhere to traffic rules and regulations in order to promote road safety and reduce accidents on the highways.

 

Tope Bankole & Aishat Suleiman,

 ZIO, Ado-Odo/Ota