Motorists in Cross River State have been urged to prioritise safety, insist on responsible driving, and cooperate with transport operators as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) intensifies efforts to reduce road crashes across the state.
The appeal came from the Cross River Sector Command of the FRSC, which also announced a renewed clampdown on reckless truck drivers, particularly along the Odukpani–Itu highway, following a series of fatal crashes recorded on the route.
The Sector Commander, Corps Commander Innocent Tommy Etuk, in a statement issued from the Command Headquarters in Calabar, stressed that road safety is a shared responsibility requiring vigilance from both drivers and passengers.
He advised commuters not to hesitate to speak up when drivers engage in dangerous behaviour, noting that proactive caution could help prevent avoidable tragedies on the highways.
Etuk also urged truck owners, transport unions, and fleet operators to ensure strict maintenance of vehicles, regular driver training, and full compliance with traffic regulations to safeguard lives.
He warned that unsafe driving practices such as speeding, wrongful overtaking, and mechanical negligence remain major causes of fatal crashes and must be urgently addressed by all stakeholders.
The advisory comes in the wake of a recent crash involving students of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), which left four persons dead, six injured, and others receiving treatment at UCTH and Arubah Specialist Hospital.
Describing the incident as tragic and preventable, the Sector Commander expressed concern over what he called persistent recklessness by some truck drivers on Nigerian roads.
He said brake failure, loss of control, and excessive speed have continued to account for avoidable deaths and injuries, especially along high-risk corridors like the Odukpani–Itu road.
While appealing for public vigilance, Etuk reaffirmed that the FRSC is stepping up enforcement operations against violators of road safety laws.
He stated that the Corps will intensify a clampdown on truck drivers and other motorists who engage in dangerous driving, warning that offenders will face the full weight of the law.
The FRSC added that it is working closely with security agencies and transport stakeholders to strengthen compliance and reduce the growing incidence of road traffic crashes in Cross River State.
Kingsley Agim
