The National Association of Seadogs, NAS, and the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, have intensified the campaign against reckless driving and avoidable accidents in Akwa Ibom State with sensitisation and distribution of safety tools to commercial drivers in Eket Local Government Area, LGA.

The FRSC partnership with the Atlantic Shores Deck, Eket Chapter of NAS, also known as the Pyrates Confraternity, took the joint team to the two township parks in Eket, where NAS distributed 20 fire extinguishers to help drivers respond to emergencies.

President of the Association, Mr Idongesit Ifon, represented by Mr Okechukwu Mgbeahurike, said the collaboration targets reckless driving and preventable crashes in the area.

Ifon said NAS was working with FRSC, “being the lead agency in transportation management in Nigeria to ensure safety on the roads in Eket and its environs.”

Reflecting on the enlightenment theme, “Road Safety Awareness Beyond Ember Months,” as timely, Ifon noted, “the journey is safe only when it starts and ends safely, and a journey which didn’t end well is not a safe journey.”

FRSC Superintendent Route Commander, Mr Uko Utipime of Eket Unit Command, spoke on the main causes of crashes, urging compliance with traffic laws.

“The three causes of road traffic crashes include human factor, mechanical factor and environmental factor,” Utipime said, blaming most incidents on “excessive speeding and wrongful overtaking by road users and motorists.”

To curb overspeeding, he advised motorists to install limiting devices, explaining, “The speed limiting device does not allow the driver to accelerate beyond the speed limit stipulated by the law as has been programmed in the vehicle.”

Utipime highlighted other safety steps, including checking vehicles before driving, obeying speed limits, and practising distance management.