FRSC @27: So far, so… (lI)

A cursory search on the FRSC website will reveal that we have targets across all indicators, which are closely monitored and measured and the result published on the FRSC website, www.frsc.gov.ng <http://www.frsc.gov.ng/>A weekly Dashboard indicating road crashes in the country and other measurable indicators are published on our facebook with about 246,039 people who like […]

A cursory search on the FRSC website will reveal that we have targets across all indicators, which are closely monitored and measured and the result published on the FRSC website, www.frsc.gov.ng <http://www.frsc.gov.ng/>
A weekly Dashboard indicating road crashes in the country and other measurable indicators are published on our facebook with about 246,039 people who like us.  Those who like us on facebook and our 117,484 twitter followers can attest to FRSC pro-active nature in information sharing and high level of disclosure and these rank us as a model in utilizing social media strategy in our daily activities and strategies
 Despite these feats,  some motorists think less of the FRSC . To other road users thunder bolted by one road mishap or the other, the score is different. To those disabled by road crashes, the FRSC is a waste of scarce government resource and a duplication of other agencies’ functions. To others privileged to be rescued by committed our Marshals, nothing compares to the FRSC.  To those arrested and compelled to face a court and thereafter convicted, whether mobile court or not the Commission has lost bearing. To this group, FRSC deserves to be disbanded and merged with the Nigerian Police or even the Red Cross in case the National Union of Road Transport Works (NURTW) has no room to contain FRSC personnel. Or better still just scrapped.
But as we click the glasses, we need to do a rethink on an editorial by the ‘Vanguard’ some years ago. While commenting on the Commission’s move to clamp down on vehicles without passengers manifest, titled, FRSC SEVERAL INITIATIVES, the newspaper said “the commission has no track record of ability to effectively enforce its directives. There are so many examples in the regard that many people now see it as a toothless dog that can only bark, but cannot bite. The carnage on our roads can be reduced or eliminated provided the FRSC shows desired vigor and zeal required to put things right”. Most drivers of vehicles especially commercial bus drivers flout driving codes, because they believe there is a way to get by FRSC men on the roads. The paper summed up by stating that none of the FRSC rules deserves to be breached if safety of lives on the roads were to be guaranteed. The use of crash manifest, crash helmets and others are good initiatives that would justify FRSC existence once road users comply them with, the paper further noted.
But has it really been that bad even with inadequate financial support from the private sector unlike the United Kingdom where after more than 25 years of the introduction of seat belt use for example, millions of pounds sterling is still being pumped to drum the message down. Back home, financial support is near absence while individual attitude to this campaign meant to reduce road crash index by reducing injury severity needs to be given a fillip.  As individuals, how far have we tried to compliment the Commission’s efforts? What about the unified licensing scheme? Despite initial hiccups, it has harmonized licensing, devoid of the chaos that was the scenario before the introduction, paving way for control and security. Or is it the numerous public enlightenment campaign programmes conceptualized to raise safety consciousness; drumming up public discourse on road safety and making road safety a priority policy to government? What about the regulations on speed? At least there is an approved speed limit on our highways and built up areas? And soon there will be enforcement on speed limiting devices. As we reflect as a people, do we obey these rules as a demonstration of our civic responsibilities? Do we caution others as a show of our concern for such lives? What about the catch them young campaign through the road safety clubs or is it the engagement of volunteers known as Special Marshal which has a good number of respectable Nigerian. What about 27 years of service built on dedication and integrity? Please give us some credit because we don try even with the areas that need retooling for better services.
All these may not deserve any applause from an anxious populace but remember that road safety is capital intensive. Its success or failure is a function of funding, which across the globe has always seen the interplay between government, the private sector and the citizen. In such societies, they have learnt how to reduce road traffic injuries even as traffic level rise, through a system approach which tackles driver behavior, vehicle design and performance and the safety of road infrastructure. This of course is the thrust of the new road safety management, which believes that stakeholders consultation and transformed leadership is key in awaking enforcers and policy makers to their responsibilities. Already we have on records assurance from FRSC leadership that we should not be talking of the good old days of FRSC as the future of Road Safety lies ahead. As we click the glasses in celebration, we await the new challenge, which would tasks the citizen, private sector, government, including every road safety professional. Me, na sidon I sidon dey look because e go better.