As part of measures to reduce road traffic carnage on Nigerian roads, the new sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Kwara State, Mrs. Mary Wakawa, has said that grassroots sensitisation and enlightenment is a way to bring about change of attitude among road users.

Speaking with journalists  on assumption of duty in Ilorin, Mrs. Wakawa said a lot of motorists and road users were illiterate.

The Kwara sector commander, who said the issue of change in attitude was all about education than enforcement, added that public enlightenment would change attitude among road users.

"A lot of people are ignorant on rules of the road. A lot of people are illiterate, they may be professors, but not literate on use of the road. We should increase our public enlightenment to our grassroots. Though, it is costly, but desirable," she said.
She said Kwara State was among states-prone to road traffic carnage in the North Central zone, adding that the corps, being certified by ISO, is poised to reduce road carnage by 30 per cent.

Also speaking, the outgoing sector commander, Christopher Ademoluti, who said that number of vehicles had increased since democracy started in the country, called on stakeholders in the state to collaborate with the FRSC, adding that the corps could not do it alone.

"That’s what informed the wisdom of volunteer arm of the corps called Special Marshall where everyone polices oneself.

Imagine, if everyone in the state is Special Marshall, it will make the job less and easy. Safety on our roads is a business for us all," he said.

He appealed to road users not to always be in a hurry, saying that is what kills on Nigerian roads.

"If you are in a hurry, you are not composed and the tendency is there to overtake at unauthorised places. Also passengers should not intimidate drivers to hurry or speed up," he said.