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'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER — In response to the increasing lawlessness exhibited by road users and the rising fatalities from road traffic crashes across the country, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has unveiled new strategies aimed at enhancing public engagement and road safety awareness. This was announced in a press statement issued by the Corps Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The FRSC revealed that it has shifted focus from its traditional motor park rally campaigns to more dynamic methods such as town hall meetings, press conferences, and on-transit campaigns. The decision to modify the Corps’ campaign approach was driven by concerns about the diminishing effectiveness of motor park rallies in reaching the target audience—primarily commercial drivers—who are often unavailable during such rallies.
"For years, the FRSC relied on motor park rallies as the primary method for public enlightenment on road safety issues. However, the increasing cases of reckless driving and rising fatalities from road traffic crashes have shown that this approach is no longer as effective as it once was," Ogungbemide stated.
He explained that the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, has approved the adoption of town hall meetings and press conferences as alternative platforms for reaching road users, particularly drivers and commuters. "This new method aligns with modern communication strategies and will ensure wider engagement with the public," he said.
According to Ogungbemide, the new approach aims to facilitate direct interaction with road users, stakeholders, and communities, allowing for more in-depth discussions on road safety issues. He emphasized that the shift in strategy is designed to bring road safety education closer to the people, particularly in settings where they are most likely to engage—such as town halls, mosques, churches, and other sociocultural environments.
"The Corps Marshal saw the need to review our old engagement system and adopt a more effective communication approach. The introduction of town hall meetings and press conferences will allow for broader reach and participation, especially during the annual 'ember months' when road accidents typically increase," Ogungbemide explained.
While the FRSC is adopting these new strategies, it does not plan to completely abandon motor park rallies. Instead, the Corps will integrate them with other methods to ensure comprehensive coverage of road safety messages.
Ogungbemide further disclosed that the flag-off of this year's end-of-year special road safety campaign will reflect the Corps’ new engagement strategy. The annual "ember months" campaign, aimed at curbing the surge of road crashes during the festive period, will now incorporate town hall meetings and press conferences to ensure more inclusive participation from both drivers and commuters.
He called on the public to take ownership of the campaign by participating actively in the new initiatives. "The success of this campaign depends on the public, especially the commuters who are the most vulnerable during crashes. We need everyone to join hands to create a safer road environment," Ogungbemide urged.
In a bid to reach a larger audience, the FRSC plans to collaborate with religious institutions and community organizations. Ogungbemide noted that mosques, churches, and schools will now serve as platforms for road safety education, emphasizing the need for communal participation in the fight against road traffic crashes.
"This initiative aligns with global efforts to combat the menace of road traffic crashes. We believe that engaging communities, religious organizations, and schools will foster greater awareness of road safety and help avert the social and economic losses associated with road accidents," he added.
As the lead agency in road traffic management and safety administration in Nigeria, the FRSC remains committed to using all available strategies—both enforcement and enlightenment-based—to ensure the safety of road users nationwide.
