By Christian Njoku
CALABAR (NAN, CONVERSEER) – The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has renewed calls for compensation for families of road crash victims to serve as a deterrent for reckless drivers.
This was disclosed by SC Innocent Etuk, Sector Commander, FRSC, Cross River Command in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Calabar to mark the annual World Day of Remembrance of Road Traffic Victims.
The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is observed annually on the third Sunday of November to honour people killed or seriously injured in road crashes, and their families.
Speaking after a church service at Salvation Ministries, Calabar, to mark the day, Etuk, who emphasised the theme for the 2025 commemoration “Lost Talents,” lamented that many promising lives were cut short through preventable road accidents nationwide.
He advocated legal provisions for compensating victims and their families, arguing that it would serve as a deterrent and encourage safer driving behaviour among motorists.
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“The Corps is committed to the National Road Safety Strategy and its vision of zero target, which aims at reducing road traffic crashes to the barest minimum and without fatalities whenever they occur across Nigeria.
“As part of the week-long activities, FRSC women visited the emergency wards of the General Hospital Calabar, providing gifts and support to crash victims receiving treatment.
“The command also conducted a candlelight procession and town hall meetings to raise awareness on personal responsibility and the need for road users to obey safety regulations,” he said.
He warned against the common belief among some religious motorists that crashes were not their portion, urging them to combine faith with wisdom and adherence to traffic laws.
He reminded drivers that maintaining their vehicles, following signs, and applying safety standards remained necessary steps to drive to stay alive.
On his part, Mr Victor Wealth, Branch Pastor of Salvation Ministries Calabar, praised the FRSC for commemorating the day, noting that road safety required both God’s grace and strict adherence to driving rules.
He warned motorists against drunk driving, speeding with worn-out tyres, and ignoring vehicle worthiness, stressing that divine protection does not replace common sense and safety measures.
He also urged drivers to respect FRSC officials, describing them as essential to maintaining road order and preventing crashes that endanger all road users.
