Twenty-three days after the commencement of the enforcement of the speed limiter device in the country, compliance remains at a parlous level, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi said on Wednesday.
Oyeyemi while flagging off this year’s don’t drink and drive campaign by the Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc said a mere 5.11 per cent compliance level have so far been reached.
Oyeyemi who was represented by the Corps’ Public Education Officer Mr Inoh Etuk at the event which was held at the brewing giant’s Lagos Headquarters, put the total number of vehicles checked during the period at 77,817 during which only 3, 980 vehicles were found to have installed the device while 73,837 others were yet to comply.
Oyeyemi who applauded the NB Plc for its commitment to the campaign said trends in the past had shown that accidents often doubled during the ember periods “not necessarily because of the actions of witches but because we as cart pushers, motorcycle riders, pedestrians and vehicle owners fail to use the road within the requirements for safer road use.”
He said to further make the road safer during the period, the FRSC would be deploying Special Intervention Patrols (SIP) to compliment the usual special marshal during the yuletide.
He said alcohol when taken above the required limit “reduces our sense of judgment as the vehicle driver and often results to speed limit violation.”
According to him, the theme for this year’s ember month campaign which is: crash the crash, kill the speed is aimed at making everyone see the safety on the road as a joint business and one that requires the involvement of all.
The Corporate Affairs Adviser Kuffre Ekanem, said the Nigerian Breweries as a flagship corporate entity remained committed to encouraging responsible consumption of alcohol.
Ekanem who was represented by the Sustainability/Regulatory Relations Manager Mr. Edem Vindah said three states: Ebonyi, Ekiti and Edo States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, were selected for this year’s campaign following statistics provided by the FRSC on road traffic crashes across the country.
He said the campaign will include road shows and public enlightenment sessions at motor parks in the three states.
“Responsible consumption messages with the don’t drink and drive themes communicated through print and electronic media during the campaign period,” Ekanem said.
Ekanem said the DDD is one of he ways NB gives back to the society as part of “our vision of winning with Nigeria and it involves public enlightenment campaigns, communication and capacity building workshops. Since the program’s launch in 2008, we have held 35 rallies in major cities across the country. The rallies continue to attract a large turnout of stakeholders that includes commercial and private vehicle drivers, motorcycle and tricycle riders.”
He said the event is to strengthen the MoU signed with the FRSC in 2014 and is aimed at encouraging responsible consumption of alcohol.
Ekanem said the DDD is part of NB’s sustainability strategy tagged brewing a better world. “Our brewing better world strategy helps us identify ways to contribute positively to the planet and society such as protecting water resources, reducing carbon emissions and sustainably sourcing of raw materials.
The DDD is one of the ways we give back to the society and part of our vision of winning with Nigeria, he added.
