Use ‘common sense’ speed while driving, FRSC boss advises motorists in Gombe
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Gombe state Office on Wednesday advised motorists in the state to use ‘common sense’ speed while driving.
Ishaku Ibrahim, the Gombe State Sector Commander while briefing newsmen in Lafiyawo Community in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe state on his command’s operations during Easter, said over-speeding was the major reason for crashes in the state.
Ibrahim stated that his command recorded six road crashes in the state leading to one death between March 31 and April 7 2021, adding that it would have been more but for the proactive measures put in place especially during the festivities, in line with the directive from the Corps Marshal Dr Boboye Oyeyemi.
Ibrahim stated that most of the crashes recorded within the period under review, was as a result of speed, this is because most of the portions of roads in Gombe are good so motorists speed beyond measures.’’ He said in view of the fact that most of the crashes in the state were as a result of speed; his command had intensified enforcement on speed limit violations as well as sensitisation. Since 2017, we have embarked on ensuring the installation of speed limit devices in all commercial vehicles and we have realised that some vehicles have not been complying with installations of speed limiters.That is what had led to a lot of crashes that had happened and we have intensified to ensure that any drivers of commercial vehicles without speed limit installed would be punished,’’ the sector commander stated. Explaining further, Ibrahim stated that the safe speed for motorists in the state was 100 kilometres per hour, adding thatcommon sense’’ speed should be applied by motorists in the state.As far as speed is concerned, different routes have their speeds but the maximum speed you can go use for vehicles is 100 kilometres per hour. Others, we advised that ‘common sense’ speed be used; even if the road allows you to go 100kms per hour, you look at the situation of the road, is it a densely or sparsely populated area?Am I driving in the night or day? All these give the ‘common sense’ speed to use the road and we must make all these considerations while driving in the interest of safety,’’ he said According to him, speed limiter installation had become the priority of his command’s operational performances,most of the time we go out in terms of preventive patrols, we are concerned with that.’’
Ibrahim said as part of the effort of his command’s effort at addressing the challenge, they had carried out massive sensitisation to all the 11 Local Government Areas and the message is simple “avoid over speeding and over loading.’’
While commending Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state for his support to FRSC in the state, Ibrahim appealed to all stakeholders to support his command’s efforts at ensuring that the roads remain safe for motorists and commuters alike.