(Test driving)
As the festive season approaches and the spate of commercial activities among the motoring public increases, the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI) has flagged off the year 2023 Ember Months’ Public Enlightenment and Safety Advocacy Campaign while also admonishing the commuting public not to allow the prevailing commercial boost in the period override public safety on the roads.
Speaking during the campaign at Ojodu Berger Motor Park, Ojodu, the General Manager of LASDRI, Mrs. Afusat Tiamiyu said the safety of lives and property is paramount to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, adding that the ember months advocacy campaign is an annual event designed to engage the minds of the motorists on the need to be safety conscious and have respect for other road users.
She noted that traffic law enforcement officers are friends of the public while the behavioural attitude of most drivers is what makes them to be regularly apprehended. She therefore admonished the drivers to imbibe an attitudinal change while behind the steering wheel.
The LASDRI boss also enjoined the commercial drivers to attend the institute for their yearly mandatory training as this will help them to improve their skills, increase their driving knowledge and eventually reduce accidents on the roads.
Also speaking at the event, the representative of Lagos State Traffic Manage Authority (LASTMA) Bravo Awotole Victor enjoined drivers to always take good care of themselves and do away with bad habits like smoking, drunk driving and making phone calls while at the wheel. “We must learn to respect ourselves”, he said.
The Vehicle Inspection Service Divisional Head, Engr. R.O Abari admonished the drivers to always stop and comply with traffic law enforcement officers. He encourages drivers to possess valid driving licences and to always update their vehicle particulars. He also enjoined them to ensure that their vehicle lights, wipers and other vital components of their vehicles are always in perfect working condition.
The representative of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Superintendent Route Commander Olabisi Sonusi urged the drivers to allow their training to reflect on skills acquisition, foresightedness, sense of judgement, alertness, courtesy and carefulness. He said if they can deploy this for practical use while driving, there will be fewer casualties on Lagos roads.
Responding, the branch A Secretary of Ojodu Berger Motor Park, Comrade Joel Fanifosi stated that ignorance of the law is not an excuse. He advised motorists to get their LASDRI certification and always make themselves available for the yearly recertification exercise at the institute, adding that the institute has all it takes to train them as good drivers.
The event allowed drivers to be enlightened, trained, certified and also undergo eye screening examinations.
