Ember months: FRSC warns motorists against distracted driving, fuel scooping Motorists
By Ibironke Ariyo
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has cautioned motorists and commuters against distracted driving and the dangerous practice of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, as part of its month-long sensitisation campaign.
The Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, gave the warning on Wednesday in Abuja during the continuation of the 2025 Ember Months Sensitisation Campaign.
Mohammed was represented by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Olusegun Ogungbemide.
He recalled that the Corps had officially flagged off this year’s sensitisation exercise on Monday, Oct. 20, with a press conference in Abuja, adding that the exercise would continue into early next year.
He said that the field sensitisation was aimed at directly engaging the motoring public on the need to comply with traffic rules.
This, he said, included upholding safe driving habits, especially during the peak of the year’s travel period.
“In line with this year’s theme, we are advising everyone to avoid distracted driving. Everyone must take responsibility for their own safety.
“The message of safe driving goes beyond motorists to include commuters who should caution drivers engaging in risky behaviour while on the road.
“If your driver is making a phone call while driving, eating, drinking or overtaking at a wrong place, please advise him. These are all forms of distracted driving,” he said.
The FRSC Corps Marshal, however, lamented that between January and September this year, more than 3,000 people lost their lives in road traffic crashes across the country.
He said that the figure underscored the need for renewed caution among road users as vehicular movement increases during the ember months.
Mohammed also emphasised the need for defensive driving, urging motorists not to insist on right of way or engage in road rage.
“This is not the season to claim rights on the road. Adopt defensive driving so that we can reduce the rate of carnage on our highways,” he said.
Speaking further, the FRSC Corps Marshal warned Nigerians against rushing to scoop fuel whenever tankers fall, describing it as a deadly act.
“Any time a tanker carrying fuel falls, please stay away.
“Run as fast as your legs can carry you. That is not the time to scoop fuel because when disaster happens, many lives are lost,” he emphasised.
Mohammed reiterated the Corps’ commitment to continuous nationwide enlightenment campaigns to ensure that both drivers and commuters remain safety conscious during and after the ember months.
