By Emmanuel Oluwadola

Drivers and other road users in Ondo State have been advised to obey traffic rules and regulations  in the Ember Months.

Stakeholders at the flag-off of awareness Campaign 2023, organised by the Vehicle Inspection Service, Ondo State, yesterday disclosed that Ember Months are like every other month of the year, and urged drivers and other road users to take things easy to stay alive.

Speaking at the event, the State Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele stressed that the State Government has always given great attention to transportation.

 He explained that the existing and ongoing infrastructure programmes as regards road construction in the state is as a result of the premium the State Governor placed on safety of lives and properties of the citizens.

“There is nothing special about Ember months. The safety consciousness we have imbibed right from January should only be maintained during this last quarter of the year. When we focus on the safety of passengers and people on the road, there will be less casualty on our roads,” the Head of Service said.

He charged the people of the state to always check their vehicles and put in place necessary particulars to avoid unpleasant circumstances.

The Olowa of Igbara-Oke, Oba Dr Adefarakanmi Agbede, advised citizens of the State to take cognizance of rules and regulations guiding the transport system, even as he urged parents and elders in communities to always advise young ones  against drunk driving.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transport, Tobi Ogunleye, expressed his excitement about this year’s awareness, stating that the state will continue to organise training for Okada drivers, and Tricyclists.

He emphasised the need for collaboration among all transport operators in the state to curb  barbaric driving.

Speaking on the theme, “Watch Not The Watch But The Speed: Speed Thrills But Ultimately Kills,” Ogunleye, urged transporters to always watch the speed while driving, saying life has no replacement.

The ceremony  witnessed inauguration of 26 Special Road Mayors for vehicle inspections in the State, the opening of the Drivers’ Licence Testing Center and two VIO Highway Patrol Vehicles.

In his welcome address, the State Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Olufemi Aladenola, noted that the event was very crucial to the development of transport in the state, stressing that Ember months should be periods of harvest not casualties.

The Director, Ondo State Vehicle Inspection Service, Mr Adeleye Alaba, who noted that human factors are responsible for accidents on the roads,  charged the citizens to tread gently while plying the roads and pay less attention to myths of Ember months.

He said drivers should go through duly authorized processes when obtaining their driver’s license and avoid shortcuts.

The Ondo Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Asabi, who thanked organisers of the event for providing support for the smooth running of safety on roads, also advised ATM users to be security conscious as criminals are on the increase during festive periods.

The Ondo Brigade Commander, represented by Officer Commanding Military Police, Major Casyn Uche said that the Nigeria Army will always create a synergy with all agencies of transportation in the State to further ensure that road safety and security are taken seriously.

Other speakers at the event include, the representative of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr Akintade Akinniranye; the chairman of the Ondo State Sunshine Park Management, Mr Jacob Adebo and the Coordinator, Female Drivers Association Ondo State, Mrs Bosede Olalusi; .