In a bold move to curb road crashes before they happen, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) RS1.3 Katsina Sector Command has concluded a far-reaching three-day intensive engagement with transport unions across Katsina State, taking the road safety message directly to where journeys begin — the motor parks.
The exercise, carried out in strict compliance with the Corps Marshal’s nationwide directive on sustained stakeholder engagement, focused squarely on the growing dangers of overloading, mixed loading, and unsafe driving practices, which remain leading contributors to fatal crashes on Nigerian roads.
Rather than waiting for tragedies to occur on the highways, the Katsina Command adopted a proactive, people-centered approach, moving into motor parks to engage drivers, loaders, union leaders, passengers, market authorities, and traditional institutions. The objective was clear: save lives, protect property, and build a shared culture of safety.
Over the three days, FRSC teams covered 29 motor parks across Katsina State, ensuring statewide impact. The Sector Command directly supervised engagements at nine strategic locations, including the Heavy Truck Loading Bay and high-traffic commercial hubs such as Charanchi and Mai’adua, while component units and station offices handled 20 additional parks across urban, semi-urban, and rural areas.
Leading from the front was the Sector Commander, Maxwell K. Lede, who personally addressed drivers and union executives, stressing that traffic rules are not punitive tools but life-preserving safeguards.
Officers vividly explained how overloading compromises vehicle stability, lengthens braking distance, and dramatically increases the risk of rollovers and mass-casualty crashes. Particular emphasis was placed on the deadly practice of mixed loading — carrying passengers alongside livestock, fuel, gas cylinders, pesticides, or construction materials.
Using real-life scenarios, FRSC personnel showed how minor leaks, shifting cargo, or sudden impacts can instantly turn routine journeys into disasters.
Beyond loading practices, the sessions tackled broader risk factors including speeding, night travel, drunk driving, substance abuse, seatbelt neglect, and poor vehicle maintenance. Drivers were urged to embrace discipline, patience, and responsibility behind the wheel.
A standout feature of the exercise was the strong collaboration from transport unions, park executives, community elders, traditional rulers, market authorities, and local government officials. Many openly discussed local challenges and pledged to work with FRSC on sustainable solutions.
Traditional institutions, in particular, reinforced the message that road safety is not just a legal duty, but a communal and moral responsibility.
The engagement recorded enthusiastic participation and frank discussions. Many drivers admitted they had underestimated the dangers of unsafe loading. Transport unions publicly pledged to discourage overloading and mixed loading, sanction erring members, and deepen cooperation with FRSC patrols.
The exercise further strengthened public confidence in FRSC as an institution committed not just to enforcement, but to education, partnership, and prevention.
According to the Command, the engagement marks the beginning of a continuous process. Plans are already underway for follow-up visits, sustained sensitization, joint enforcement with unions, and data-driven patrol strategies, in line with national safety goals and the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety.
The three-day transport union engagement stands as a major milestone in the proactive safety strategy of the Katsina Sector Command. It reflects strong leadership, effective collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to protecting lives.
As FRSC continues to take safety advocacy to the grassroots, the message from Katsina’s motor parks is loud and clear: safe loading, disciplined driving, and shared responsibility are the true drivers of safer roads and sustainable development.
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