Abuja (NAN) Barely a week to Christmas, travellers across the country have been advised not to be in a haste while preparing for their trips for the festival.

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Patrick, the Parish Priest of St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, Mararaba, near Abuja, gave the advice on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Patrick also counselled the faithful not to embark on “dying minute rush” during the planned journeys, saying that such rush often was “stressful”.

He harped on the need “to draw the ears of both the drivers and passengers to be extra careful on the roads during this festive season.

“Those who want to travel for the Christmas celebrations should plan ahead and should go in good time instead of waiting to rush a day or two to Christmas.”

The clergyman also advised commercial vehicle operators to avoid the temptation of embarking on several trips in order to make more money without considering the safety of other road users.

“Motorists should ensure that their vehicles are road-worthy before they embark on long journeys so as to check avoidable accidents during and after the Christmas celebrations.”

He further urged motorists to observe and obey traffic signs on the highways.

“Those who are privileged to travel this Christmas, both commercial and private road users, must consider the dilapidated nature of our roads and exercise extra care on the highways so as to arrive a their destinations safely and celebrate Christmas alive.

“It is safer and advisable to travel one or two weeks to Christmas.”

Patrick also advised the security operatives on the highways to “always make themselves available on the roads and in time too”.

He called on the police, soldiers, FRSC officials and VIOs manning the highways not to stop vehicles abruptly.