Jos (NAN) With Nigerian roads usually accident prone during the yuletide, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has advised Nigerians against desperation to travel during the period.

“It is not compulsory to travel during Christmas; it is not a must,’’ the FRSC Sector Commander in Plateau, Mr. Sam Odukoya, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Monday.

According to Odukoya, there is so much risks involved in such journeys and the fewer the vehicles on the highways, the better for safety.

“If more people consider staying where they are to celebrate the Christmas, it will better for the roads and the country.’’

He advised people to “resist the temptation of traveling to spend festivities somewhere other than where they are’’.

Odukoya said the risk involved in traveling was enough “warning“ for the wise, even though “we believe our God is in control“.

The FRSC boss said the corps would commence “Operation Zero 2011’’ aimed at minimizing road accidents, from Dec. 20, 2011 to Jan. 8, 2012.

“Over 400 Corp-marshals will be deployed to the streets to control the traffic during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

“We do not want to take chances. We are fully ready to ensure that the roads are accident free during the festive periods.”

Odunkoya said that his officers and men had embarked on “safety checks’’ on all vehicles to ensure that side mirrors, horns, fire extinguishers, triangular signs, traffic signals were intact.

He said the campaigns would be taken to all the motor parks in the State to ensure that all commercial vehicles were fully compliant and road worthy.

“We have decided that none of our staff will be on leave during the period; we shall all be here throughout the festive periods to monitor movements and compliance to traffic rules and regulations by motorists.’’

Odukoya warned motorists against daring the FRSC, and warned that defaulters would be promptly tried by mobile courts.

“We have been telling motorists to be careful, watchful and compliant so as no to spend their Christmas or New Year in prison.”