LAGOS – Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), on Wednesday said that 238 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol between January and September 2017.
Oyeyemi made the disclosure at the annual “ember’’ months sensitisation programme tagged; “Don’t Drink and Drive” organised by the Nigeria Breweries at the Ojota Motor Park, Lagos State.
The corps marshal, who was represented by Mr Bisi Kazeem, FRSC Head of Public Education, said that the corps was working assiduously to ensure that there was change of attitude among motorists before, during and after the Yuletide.
“For this reason, it is not out place to stress that a drunk driver is likely to drive dangerously or commit traffic light violation.
“These are part of the reasons the operation Cobra Enforcement, under the direct supervision of the corps marshal, focuses on it.
“So far, the operation has recorded a total of 2,943 offenders who contravened various traffic offences within the first three quarters of the year,” he said.
According to him, 1,414 drivers arrested during the Cobra Enforcement Operation were referred for emotional and psychological evaluation in government hospitals.
Oyeyemi commended Nigerian Breweries for its sponsorship of the “ember’’ months campaign and its support to the FRSC in educating and sensitising motorists.
The corps marshal said that the programme was organised to discourage drivers from consuming alcohol before driving.
Also, Mr Hyginus Omeje, FRSC Lagos State Sector Commander, commended Nigerian Breweries for supporting the corps in tackling the phenomenon of driving under the influence of alcohol.
“This year’s campaign marks the 10th edition of the Don’t Drink and Drive campaign being sponsored by Nigerian Breweries as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to the consumers.
“As we officially flag off this “ember’’ months road safety sensitisation campaign, I charge each and every one to redirect our mind set towards good road use by obeying all rules and regulations as it affects our lives,” he said.
In a message to the occasion, Mr Johan Doyer, the Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, said that the Don’t drink don’t drive campaign was to discourage driving under the influence of alcohol and improve safety on the roads.
Doyer, who was represented by Mr Kufre Ekanem, Head of Corporate Affairs, Nigerian Breweries, said that the initiative was part of the company’s advocacy of responsible consumption of alcohol.
He said that the advocacy was part of its sustainability agenda “Brewing a Better World”.
Dover said that objective was the improvement of road safety awareness for all commercial drivers and draw attention to alcohol related accidents as a result of drink driving.
Mr Tajuden Agbede, the Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos State branch, commended Nigeria Breweries for sponsoring don’t drink and drive campaign.
Agbede said that the union on weekly basis organised enlightenment programmes for its members to caution drivers on the danger of driving under the influence of alcohol.
He advised motorists to obey the traffic rules and regulations during and after the Yuletide to prevent accidents on the highways.
