By peter oluka

OLX.com.ng the leading online classifieds site partnered with Federal Road Safety Commission to share safety tips with road users this festive season.

As the year comes to an end, Nigerians around the country are finalizing travel plans for the yuletide season.

The long distances travelled at this time layered with the large number of vehicles on the highway can easily result in accidents caused by fatigue, distractions, overspeeding, faulty cars so extra precaution needs to be taken.

OLX has taken this opportunity to educate the public on how to keep the roads safe, and travel stress free during the yuletide season by seeking advice from FRSC.

Hygenius Omejei, sector commander of FRSC advised road users that the following safety tips should be adhered to when driving this festive season.

• Ensure your vehicle is roadworthy

Take your car to the mechanic for a thorough inspection to run a detailed diagnostic check which should include the tyres to ensure the car is capable of taking the long journey ahead.

• Defensive Driving

Be extremely careful and alert whilst driving to avoid possible collisions caused by bad drivers, drunk drivers, and poor weather (harmattan fog).

It is important that you don’t make assumptions about the other drivers intentions. If you expect drivers in parked vehicles to remain parked at all times, always yield at intersections, or remain in one lane at all times, etc., you risk being caught off guard when drivers do not do what’s expected.

• Do not over speed

Keeping to the recommended speed limit on the express road and highway is extremely important.

The speed limit for private cars on the express road is 100km/hr and 80km/hr on the highway.

The speed limit should be strictly adhered too because overspeeding is the number one cause of deadly accidents for road users.

• Fatigue

Drowsy driving is suspected to be the primary cause in more than 20% of road fatalities.

Drivers are advised to have someone else in the car who can take over the wheels when feeling drowsy or parkin a safe place (like an eatery or petrol station) to get some rest.

• Avoid the use of Alcohol

Any form of alcohol is forbidden while driving as it can impair one’s judgement on the road.

• Avoid Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating, drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system—anything that takes your attention away from the task of driving.

Texting is the most dangerous distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention.

Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.

• Ensure your Car Documents are up to date

Federal Road Safety Officials perform routine checks on the highways to ensure road users drive safely.

Road users should ensure that their documents are all updated. These are the documents and items FRSC officials are authorized to check.

• Valid Driver’s License
• Valid Vehicle License, Car Insurance and Roadworthiness certificate
• Spare Tyre, Fire Extinguisher, Caution Sign and Wheel Spanner

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