The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has strongly cautioned political parties, candidates, and their supporters against reckless driving, excessive speed, and dangerous overloading during electioneering campaigns.

The FRSC Sector Commander in Gombe State, Mr. Samson Kaura, gave the warning during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe. He noted that the timely appeal was crucial to promoting safe driving habits and responsible road usage while political activities last.

Kaura implored all political stakeholders to comply strictly with traffic regulations to protect the lives of passengers and other road users. He emphasized that reckless maneuvers and excessive speeding on campaign trails often lead to avoidable road crashes, severe injuries, and fatalities.

“Now that the campaigns have started, we call on political parties to ensure their drivers and campaign trains obey all road-use rules,” the Sector Commander said.

He particularly urged political groups to sensitise their drivers against speeding in densely populated and built-up areas where children or animals might suddenly cross the road, thereby eliminating preventable casualties.

He added, “We therefore call on you that whenever you are going for campaigns, ensure you obey all traffic laws and do not put members of the public at risk. Members of the public have the right to use roads safely, regardless of political activities taking place around them.”

Beyond speed violations, the FRSC boss issued a stern warning to campaign drivers and general motorists against driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, labeling the practice as highly dangerous and illegal.

“We are totally against substance abuse by drivers, not just for political parties but for every road user,” Kaura maintained. “Substance abuse impairs vision and reduces the level of reasoning, which significantly increases the chances of road crashes.” He added that any driver caught operating a vehicle while impaired would face the full wrath of the law.

Addressing the dangerous trend of campaign supporters hanging on moving vehicles or crowding beyond legal capacities, Kaura declared a zero-tolerance policy for overloading.

“Overloading will only increase the number of casualties in cases of crashes, and that is why we are saying no to overloading,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Kaura revealed that the FRSC has commenced robust sensitization engagements with political stakeholders across Gombe State to drive home the message of safety. He advised party leaders to thoroughly vet their drivers and ensure that only properly trained and licensed personnel are permitted to pilot campaign vehicles.