The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has cautioned motorists, passengers, and other road users to take personal responsibility for their safety to prevent avoidable road crashes during the ember months.
Ondo State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Dr. Samuel Ibitoye, gave the warning on Friday during a 2025 Ember Months Road Safety Stakeholders’ Town Hall Meeting held at Achievers University, Owo.
The event, organised in collaboration with the university, brought together transport unions, students, and security agencies to discuss measures aimed at reducing road traffic crashes (RTCs) as year-end travel activities intensify.
Ibitoye expressed concern over the high number of accidents recorded in 2024, especially during the ember months, describing the deaths as “unacceptable.”
He urged stakeholders to join hands with the FRSC in ensuring safer roads, warning against complacency and reckless driving habits.
“Road crashes kill and claim more lives than any other cause in Nigeria.
The deaths recorded on our roads are not acceptable,” he said.
“We are appealing to all stakeholders to take ownership of their safety.
Do not allow anyone to dictate how you stay safe. Drivers must avoid distractions, whether from passengers or their own actions, while passengers must stay alert and participate actively in road safety.”
He also advised passengers against sleeping or using earphones during trips, adding that they should speak up politely when drivers act recklessly.
“The driver’s primary duty is to concentrate. Distraction — whether visual, manual, or mental — can turn a short trip into a tragedy. Let us all take responsibility,” he said.
In his remarks, Vice Chancellor of Achievers University, Prof. Omolola Irinoye, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Oyesoji Aremu, commended the FRSC for its sustained campaigns and professionalism.
“Without the FRSC, Nigerian roads would have become death traps. Drivers must be more cautious and see safety as a shared responsibility,” he said.
General Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Owo Branch, Mr. Wale Babalola, lauded the Corps for its continuous sensitisation efforts.
Babalola assured that union members would continue to obey traffic regulations and urged drivers to treat the ember months like any other period of the year to avoid unnecessary crashes.
Representatives of the Olowo of Owo, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), students, and other stakeholders also attended the meeting.