Chinedum Treasure
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra State Command has advised motorists in the state to always ensure their vehicles were in good condition before hitting the road.
The Sector Training Officer, DCC Caroline Adaora Oliseh gave the advice during a training session organized by the Corps for members of the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Delivering a paper titled, “Causes of Road Traffic Crashes”, Oliseh explained that carrying out daily checks of vehicles which she referred to as “morning parade” would go a long way in reducing road crashes.
She regretted that road crashes have resulted in more waste of lives and property than diseases and sundry ailments.
According to her, the driver’s inability to observe routine checks of his vehicle before driving out was not only dangerous to him, but to other motoring public.
She identified human, mechanical and environmental factors as major causes of road traffic crashes, explaining that while human and mechanical are man-made, the environmental factor is nature driven.
“Research conducted on Road Traffic Crashes have shown that there are three major causes of road traffic crashes namely human factor, mechanical factor and environmental factor,” she said.
Oliseh further listed human factor to include: over confidence, speeding, lack of concentration, tiredness, driving under the influence of alcohol, dangerous overtaking and distraction.
“Examples of mechanical factors are malfunction of engine, tyre burst, brake failure, failed wiper during raining season, defective horn, electrical fault, absence of rear mirror and lack of reflective triangle.
“Environmental factors include heavy rain, collapse bridge, storm, river overflow, bad roads with pot holes and fallen trees on the road,” she added.
Responding, State Chairman, NUJ, Comrade Emeka Odogwu appreciated the FRSC Command for the training, describing it as important to media practitioners in the state in view of their opinion moulding responsibility to the society.
He assured that the lessons from the training would not only be beneficial to the journalists, but would be cascaded to the motoring public through their escalated reportage.
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