The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has urged motorists to prioritise their health, physical fitness and mental alertness during the ember months, warning that fatigue, poor eyesight and other untreated health conditions can increase the risk of road traffic crashes.
The Corps’ Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, gave the advice in Abuja during a health outreach organised in partnership with BATMedics. The initiative focused on preventive health care and improving access to basic medical services for motorists and other road users.
Ohaeri said road safety depended not only on the condition of vehicles and roads but also on the health and readiness of the people using them.
He explained that impaired vision, fatigue, delayed reactions and other health challenges could affect a driver’s ability to make sound decisions, respond to hazards and maintain control of a vehicle.
The FRSC spokesperson urged motorists to avoid driving when ill, excessively tired or emotionally distressed. He also cautioned against driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
He advised drivers to undergo regular medical examinations, obtain adequate rest before long journeys and ensure their eyesight and general physical condition were suitable for driving.
The outreach was organised as part of efforts aligned with the third pillar of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety, which focuses on safer road users.
According to the FRSC, the programme provided an opportunity to promote preventive health care, encourage early detection of medical conditions and raise awareness of practices that can help prevent avoidable crashes.
Ohaeri commended BATMedics for collaborating with the Corps to bring health services closer to motorists and members of the public. He said partnerships involving government institutions, health professionals, civil society organisations and communities could strengthen public health and road safety initiatives.
The outreach comes as Nigeria enters the ember months, traditionally associated with increased travel, commercial activities, religious gatherings and preparations for the end of the year. The resulting rise in road traffic can increase pressure on highways, particularly when combined with speeding, dangerous overtaking and other unsafe driving practices.
However, the FRSC has maintained that the period itself does not cause crashes. Driver behaviour, vehicle condition and environmental factors all contribute to road safety risks.
The Corps urged motorists to treat health checks and adequate rest as essential parts of journey preparation rather than optional precautions.
It also encouraged beneficiaries of the outreach to share the health information they received with family members, colleagues and other road users.
The FRSC continues to promote public education and enforcement as part of its efforts to reduce road crashes and fatalities. Its message during the ember months is that responsible driving requires both compliance with traffic regulations and a willingness to recognise when a person is not physically or mentally fit to drive.
Prioritising motorists’ health, alongside vehicle maintenance, speed control and adherence to traffic laws, remains important to protecting lives and reducing preventable road crashes across Nigeria.
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