The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced a shift in its approach to reducing Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) in Nigeria, introducing community-based initiatives in place of traditional motor park rallies.
Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Olusegun Ogungbemide, the Corps’ Public Education Officer, made the announcement in a statement released on Thursday in Abuja. Ogungbemide emphasised the FRSC’s concern over the diminishing impact of motor park rallies, a long-standing method for engaging drivers and the public on road safety.
In response, the FRSC has adopted alternative strategies, including town hall meetings and press conferences, while maintaining motor park rallies in certain instances. These changes, approved by Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, are aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of road safety campaigns across the country.
Ogungbemide explained that for years, the Corps relied heavily on motor park rallies to gather drivers and travelers for road safety education. However, the need for a more impactful approach led to the introduction of town hall meetings and press conferences as the primary means of communication with drivers and commuters.
“To address the growing concern of road traffic crashes, the Corps Marshal has directed all commands to adopt these new strategies,” Ogungbemide said. “Town hall meetings and press conferences will be the focal points of our road safety campaigns, particularly during the ’ember months’ when road accidents tend to increase.”
He added that these methods will allow for more direct and effective engagement with the public, especially drivers, and that the 2023 end-of-year safety campaign will reflect this new approach. Commanding officers and public education officers across the country are expected to regularly engage with stakeholders in town hall settings and through media briefings.
