The International Breweries Plc of Ilesa, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the police and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have warned drivers against the dangers of drunken driving.
The Legal and Corporate Affairs Director, IB Plc, Chief Michael Daramola, said at a sensitisation programme organised by the company in Osogbo on Tuesday that the nation had lost many promising stars due to excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks and other intoxicants by drivers.
Daramola, who was represented by the Corporate Affairs Manager, Mrs Folasade Omole, spoke on ‘Honourable Driving’, saying it was wrong to take alcoholic beverages in excess before driving.
She appealed to drivers to drink responsibly and avoid taking intoxicants before driving, saying this would help to reduce auto crashes on the nation’s roads.
Although he noted that ‘ember’ months were associated with an increase in the rate of automobile accidents, experts attributed many of the crashes to human errors.
She said, “Honourable driving means don’t drink and drive. Safe driving saves lives. Avoid taking intoxicants before driving and be alert, put your vehicles in good condition. Your family needs you; Nigeria needs you.”
The Corps Marshal, FRSC, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, said motorists must always ensure that their vehicles were in good condition and they must obey speed limit and road signs to stay alive.
Oyeyemi, who was represented by the Assistant Corps Marshal, Mr Godwin Ogagaoghene, lauded the IB Plc for the awareness programme. He said such programme on safe driving was needed at motor parks, churches, mosques and other strategic locations.
The FRSC boss said, ‘’Ember months are the same with other months but what makes the difference is the events and celebration here and there. The period between September and December which is the end of the year month is a period when drivers always embark on many trips.
“Ensuring safety on Nigerian road is a shared responsibility which must not be left in the hands of the FRSC officials alone. It must be jointly ensured by all relevant stakeholders in the transport sector.”
The Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Mr Fimihan Adeoye, appealed to the leaderships of the transport unions to always ensure that drivers were not allowed to drink before embarking on any journey.
An official of the NDLEA, Mrs Titi Oladejo, also warned drivers against hard drugs and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.