The State Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Oyo State Command, Chief Route Commander Mayowa O Odewo, has expressed displeasure over the attitude of some Nigerians who prefer to videotape accident scenes instead of offering support to victims.
In an interview, the Chief Route Commander spoke about Road Traffic Victims, saying, “I discourage in totality use of camera phone on road traffic crash victims without emergency support to save lives as the world commemorates 2023 African Road Safety Day and World Day of remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (13th to 19th November, 2023)”
Explaining further, he said on-looking witnesses can utilise the ‘golden hour’ when there is a high likelihood that prompt medical and surgical treatment will prevent death, to save victims instead of taking videos.
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Asked whether videoing accident victims is a punishable offence, the Commander responded in negative, stating however that it is punishable with N50,000 fine if Medical officials or hospitals refused to treat accident victims.
Chief Route Commander Mayowa revealed further that the role of the citizens at the golden hour will be immensely appreciated by the FRSC if necessary and immediate action is taken. He emphasised that citizens not only play a huge role after a Road Traffic Crash but also have a duty in reverting RTC at different necessary intervention points before the crash occurs.
Continuing, he noted that the active use of phones while driving should be discouraged because it is one of the causes of road crashes, adding that the special “Operation Say No to Calling behind the Wheel” can catch up with anybody.
He said, “The Sector Commander, Corp Commander Joshua O Adekanye, have directed that road audit be carried out throughout Oyo State with different indepartmental special intervention collaboration within the FRSC towards ensuring 5% of reduction in RTC fatality as enshrined in the FRSC 2023 strategic goals.”
