The Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Osita Chidoka has advocated for the introduction of speed calming devices on some sections of the highways as part of measures to curb excessive speed among  drivers in the country.Making a presentation during a courtesy visit at the national headquarters of the Federal Roads maintenance Agency (FERMA), the Corps Marshal observed that FRSC findings in week 45 indicate that speed violation was predominant cause of 142 road crashes recorded across the country with 64 cases, followed by loss of control, tyre burst, dangerous driving and wrongful overtaking.

According to Chidoka, the rise in road crashes in week 44 “showed that in comparison with similar period last year, road crashes have increased by 30.9% while fatality reduced to only 1.72%”. He added that  “in similar vein, comparing the third quarter of 2012 with  the same period last year, there was an increase of 55% in road crashes and 13.3% increase in fatality.”

However, the Corps Marshal disclosed that sustained intervention by the FRSC during festive seasons such as the Easter, Sallah, Valentine Day, Christmas, Workers’ Day and the New Year eve has impacted positively on road crash reduction, indicating that adequate funding and sustained patrols, public enlightenment and enforcement of traffic rules and regulations will achieve a drastic reduction of road crashes through out the year.

The Corps Marshal commended FERMA for donating 31 road side clinics to the FRSC and solicited for the furnishing of the clinics to enhance the Corps’ rescue activities especially during the yuletide. He also implored the management of FERMA to strive towards improving rehabilitation of bad portions of the highways, in view of Ember months travels, furnishing of rehabilitated roads with signs and road markings that meet with global standards, implementation of FRSC findings on audited roads in the country and to deliver on FERMA’s promise of 6 heavy duty tow trucks to the Corps.

Responding, the Managing Director of FERMA, Engr. Gabriel Awuchi commended the FRSC management for the visit which according to him,  will further bolster the synergy between the two agencies which has impacted positively on Nigerian roads.