By Elijah Ugani
As part of its core mandate in the area of road safety, Rima Deck of the National Association of Seadogs, NAS, in partnership with Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC Special Marshal Unit 18 Obudu, Cross River State and the Vehicle Inspection Unit, VIO, held a one-day public awareness campaign with the theme “Safer Road Tips For Commercial Vehicles Drivers And Motorcyclists” in Obudu Cross River State.
The event which was held on 30 March 2024, had participants drawn from members of both the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW and Commercial Cyclists Union as well as other members of the public held at the central motor park Obudu.
Declaring the event open, the Capoon of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) Rima Deck, Dr Nick Akan, noted that “The National Association of Seadogs, also known as Pyrates Confraternity, was founded in 1952 as a nonprofit, nongovernmental, non-political, non-religious, detribalised organisation open to the public whose prime aim is the upholding of human and a progressive society.”
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He said as “One of the association’s core mandates in the area of road safety, Rima Deck is today holding a one-day public awareness campaign with the theme, Safer Road Tips For Commercial Vehicles Drivers And Motorcyclists”.
Dr Akan noted further that “Road safety is a crucial concern for all road users especially vehicle drivers and motorcyclists given the increasing traffic and diverse modes of transportation. It is important for both drivers and cyclists to be well informed of road safety practices”
Speakers took turns to enlighten the drivers and motorcyclists.
Dr (Mrs) Joy Uzor of the Road Safety Special Marshal Unit 18, and a lecturer at the Federal College of Education, FCE Obudu, noted that “reckless overtaking is one of the major causes of most road crashes.”
She also pointed out that drivers should avoid pursuing each other on the roads just to claim superiority and that the road is not a competition field.
She advised that road users should avoid speed while approaching crowded places like schools and marketplaces. She stressed the need for drivers to be “emotionally stable and avoid quarrelling with their passengers while in transit.”
Dr Isaac Ishamali, a patron of the NURTW noted that “Our concern is for the unions to survive and succeed.” He cautioned drivers against overloading their vehicles and using expired tyres.
The former Acting Provost of the Federal College of Education Obudu, Dr Ladan Chado, who represented the coordinator of the special Marshal Unit 18, Obudu spoke extensively on safety while overtaking. He noted that “There are places that drivers are not supposed to overtake.
“These places are wide and narrow bridges, bends, crowded places, zebra crossings, roundabouts, convoys, bullion vans, and hills. He equally warned against making calls while driving.”
On his part, the zonal commander of the Vehicle Inspection Unit Obudu charged the drivers to obey road signs and to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol and other harmful substances.
Highlight of the awareness campaign was the presentation of reflective safety vests by Rima deck to the Vehicle Inspection officers to aid in traffic control.
In a vote of thanks, the Chairman of the National Association of Road Transport Workers, Obudu branch, Mr Martin Undie thanked the organisers of the awareness campaign and pledged adherence of his members to the tips and guides for Safer Roads.
