By Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - In a bid to ensure smooth and safe road travel during the festive season, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has launched its “Operation Zero Tolerance” campaign, deploying its entire workforce, 1,102 operational vehicles, and activating 16 traffic control camps nationwide.
This initiative, which runs from December 15, 2024, to January 15, 2025, is aimed at tackling road congestion, minimizing crashes, and ensuring safe end-of-year travels.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, who authorized the operation, emphasized the need for an aggressive and holistic approach due to the observed surge in traffic volume, impatience, overloading, and mechanical deficiencies during the period. The operation will focus on critical traffic corridors across the country and enforce strict compliance with road safety regulations.
To achieve a hitch-free travel season, FRSC has deployed: 754 patrol vehicles, 157 administrative vehicles, 143 ambulances, and 48 tow trucks Radar guns to monitor and control speed violations, 16 traffic control camps strategically located across major routes, and 53 critical routes nationwide.
The Corps has also activated 23 help areas and 59 Emergency Ambulance (Zebra) Points for prompt response to road emergencies.
The operation will run in shifts—0600hrs to 1400hrs, 1400hrs to 2000hrs, 2000hrs to 2200hrs—with night rescue teams on standby. Some of the critical routes to be covered include: Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Birnin Kebbi corridor, Katsina-Kano-Wudil-Dutse-Azare-Potiskum corridor, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor.
Others include: Okene-Ogori-Isua-Owo corridor, Asaba-Abraka-Ughelli-Warri corridor, Ibadan-Ogere-Sagamu corridor, and Sagamu-Mowe-Lagos corridor.
The Corps Marshal identified key causes of road incidents during this season, including excessive speed, overloading, dangerous overtaking, lane indiscipline, and use of mechanically deficient vehicles. Enforcement will specifically target: Speed violations, overloading of vehicles with goods, animals, or passengers, dangerous driving, use of phones while driving, seatbelt/child restraint violations, passengers’ manifest violations, and latching and twist-lock violations for trucks.
To strengthen enforcement, Mobile Courts will be set up across the country for on-the-spot prosecution of traffic offenders.
The Corps Marshal further directed effective collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Military Units, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Directorate of State Services (DSS), and other agencies such as FERMA and National Network on Emergency Road Services (NNERS). He also reiterated FRSC’s commitment to prompt traffic notifications, gridlock management, and crash responses.
As part of public awareness, the Corps is running its aggressive “Ember Months” sensitization campaign on National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM and across social media platforms.
Motorists are encouraged to download the FRSC Mobile Application for real-time traffic updates and incident reporting. They can also reach FRSC via: 122 toll-free emergency number, National Traffic Radio live lines: 08052997848 and 09139600107.
Situation Room contacts are: 07054005754 and 07054005712, and FRSC official social media handles on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@frscnigeria).
The Corps Marshal urged all road users to plan their journeys carefully, drive responsibly, and adhere to traffic rules to ensure a safer travel experience for all. He called on commuters to support FRSC’s efforts by reporting traffic emergencies promptly and cooperating with officers deployed across the highways.
The FRSC’s “Operation Zero Tolerance” reflects the Corps' commitment to safety and efficiency on Nigerian roads during the critical festive period.
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