By Tola Gbadamosi

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ondo State Command, says it has deployed 1,080 personnel, 17 patrol vehicles, and four ambulances to ensure free flow of traffic during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration in the state.

Mr. Ezekiel SonAllah, FRSC State Sector Commander, made this known during the stakeholders’ meeting organized by the command held on Friday in Akure.

SonAllah explained that the personnel deployment comprises 596 regular marshals and 484 special marshals, with one towing vehicle. He said that the motive was to record zero crashes during and after the festive celebration.

The Sector Commander said that it had become imperative for all stakeholders to join hands with the command to eradicate road crashes in the state and on highways.

According to him, it now behooves all stakeholders to continue preaching the messages of safety until we achieve zero crashes on highways.

SonAllah called on leaders of drivers’ unions to talk to their members to maintain the appropriate speed limit and ensure that their vehicles are in good condition before embarking on any journey.

“In spite of FRSC efforts, we still hear about crashes, and it cannot continue. We need to come together as a team to fight the menace on our roads, especially highways.

“So, it is compulsory for all commercial drivers to install speed limit devices on their vehicles, have standard tyres, functional wipers, and ensure the vehicle lighting system is working, especially as we are in the rainy season,” he said.

He, therefore, vowed to impound any vehicles without a valid driver’s license, saying underage drivers would not be allowed to ply roads in Ondo State.

“Please, if you don’t have a valid driver’s license, you don’t need to drive during this Sallah because we will impound your vehicle here in Ondo State.

“Go and renew your license because a driver’s license is the only document that permits you to be at the steering wheel. And those who don’t have one at all have no business being at the wheel.

“We are going to be very aggressive about drivers’ licenses, and underage drivers will not be allowed in Ondo State.

“And if you are 17 years old, you are not supposed to be at the wheel because any person caught here in the state, his or her vehicle will also be impounded.

“Because in most cases, crashes affect people of reproductive age, and we cannot afford to lose people of that age. We need them, and we have to protect them.”

He, therefore, called on members of the public to inform the road safety authorities of any obstructions or crashes for quick interventions.