Arriving safely more important than arriving early — FRSC tells Edo motorists

Motorists in Edo State have been urged to place safety above speed as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) marked the 2026 African Road Safety Day and World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

The Sector Commander of the FRSC in Edo State, Corps Commander Preye E. Bedford, gave the charge in his message to commemorate the day, themed “A Light That Unites Us.”

According to Bedford, the Remembrance Day is not just a ceremony, but a moment to honour the thousands of Nigerians who have died in road crashes, comfort bereaved families and survivors, and recommit to the task of making the highways safe.

“Road crashes are not merely statistics. They are tragedies that leave families devastated and communities affected,” he said.

He disclosed that the Corps has intensified campaigns on the use of seat belts and crash helmets, strengthened emergency response and rescue operations, and is working closely with transport unions, fleet operators, schools, religious bodies and community leaders to entrench a culture of safe road use.

Bedford specifically cautioned commercial drivers against putting profit before human lives, warning that reckless driving, overloading and impatience remain major causes of crashes.

He also charged passengers to speak up against dangerous driving and to refuse boarding overloaded or visibly unsafe vehicles, noting that road safety is a shared responsibility.

He appealed to the media, government agencies, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to partner with the FRSC through sustained enlightenment and advocacy.

Bedford said the collective goal remains the realisation of the Second United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety, which seeks to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50 per cent by 2030.

He added: “Achieving that target requires collective commitment. Arriving safely is more important than arriving early.”