Yuletide: Take 30-minute rest after four hours of driving, FRSC advises motorists

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has advised motorists to observe 30-minute rest after every four hours of driving.

Dauda Biu, the acting corps marshal, said this on Friday at the end-of-year special intevention sensitisation campaign for gridlock and crash-prone areas in Jos, the Plateau capital.

During the festive season, it is not unusual to observe a marked increase in long-distance trips across Nigeria.

Biu, who was represented by Alphonsus Godwin, the FRSC sector commander in Plateau, said fatigue remains one of major causes of road crashes on highways.

He said the special campaign is aimed at sensitising motorists and other road users on the need to adhere to traffic regulations, particularly during the yuletide.

“Fatigue is one of the major causes of road traffic crashes on our roads, because drivers are just after getting to their destinations; they find it very hard to stop and rest,” he said.

“So, we want to use this opportunity to advise motorists to rest for 30 minutes after a journey of four hours.

“That way, we will minimise the risk of accidents while travelling to distant locations.”

The acting corps marshal warned drivers to desist from speeding, night journeys, overloading, use of expired tyres, and dangerous overtaking.

He also advised passengers to correct and caution drivers whenever they disobey traffic regulations.

On his part, Calvin Akaagerger, the Bukuru unit commander of the corps, warned against unqualified and underage driving, adding that anyone caught would face prosecution.

Akaagerger also advised motorists to conduct proper mechanical checks on their vehicles before embarking on long journeys.

The campaign had, as its theme, ‘Driving Tired is as Dangerous as Driving Drunk: Observe 30 Minutes Rest Period after Every Four Hours’.