As the festive season reaches its peak, the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) has issued a critical and timely appeal to all road users. With increased travel, heightened emotions, and often challenging conditions, the yuletide period sees a tragic spike in road traffic accidents. The agency’s core message is stark and unequivocal: Speed Kills.
In an exclusive discussion with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the South-West Zonal Commander of TRACE, Mr. Adekunle Ajibade, framed the appeal with a profound reminder: “life has no duplicate.” This isn’t just administrative advice; it’s a plea grounded in the irreversible finality of road fatalities, which devastate families especially during what should be a time of celebration.
Beyond the Warning: A Comprehensive Safety Checklist
While the headline focuses on speed, Commander Ajibade’s counsel expands into a holistic pre-travel safety protocol. Motorists are urged to move beyond simple caution and adopt a proactive strategy:
- Vehicle Fitness is Non-Negotiable: A pre-journey vehicle check is paramount. Focus on the brake system, tires, lights, and fluid levels. A minor mechanical failure at high speed can have catastrophic consequences.
- The Deadly Danger of Fatigue: Driving while drowsy impairs reaction time as severely as alcohol. Ajibade’s advice to “look for a safer place to rest” is critical. Plan your trip with scheduled breaks every 2 hours or 200 kilometers.
- Zero Tolerance for Drunk-Driving: Festive cheer and alcohol are a lethal mix on the road. The agency’s call to desist is absolute. Designate a driver or use alternative transport.
- Obedience Ensures Order: Adhering to traffic rules isn’t about avoiding fines; it’s a shared language of safety that prevents chaos and collisions, particularly in heavy seasonal traffic.
The Shared Responsibility for Free Traffic Flow
Ajibade emphasized cooperation with TRACE personnel and other agencies. This collaboration is essential. Motorists should view traffic officials as partners in safety, not adversaries. Patience at checkpoints, compliance with directives, and reporting obstructions can collectively ensure the “free flow of traffic” everyone desires.
The yuletide spirit is one of joy, peace, and reunion. Let’s protect that spirit by making conscious, safe choices on the road. Heed TRACE’s appeal: moderate your speed, prepare your vehicle, rest adequately, and drive soberly. Ensuring everyone arrives alive is the greatest gift we can give our communities this season.
Source: NAN News. Edited for context and expanded analysis.
