The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised Nigerians to avoid traveling at night, especially during the yuletide, saying that night journey could put travelers in more danger, particularly accident.
The Head of Imo/Abia operations unit of the agency, Mr Evans Ugoh, gave the advice at the inauguration of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) 2018 Ember Month Safety Campaign in Owerri on Friday.
Ugoh said his advice followed the fact that rescue operations were usually not very successful at night, adding that more than 80 per cent of accidents during the yuletide occurred in the night.
“We all know the state of the roads in Nigeria, government is trying to improve on the roads in the country but for the time being, motorists should stop embarking on night journey.
“Night journey is dangerous and not advisable for any traveler; emergency response operation is usually more effective during the day than night.
“Transport companies would want to run day and night, especially during this yuletide to make their gains, but it is not safe for anybody, so please don’t travel in the night,” he said.
The head of operations said most Nigerians did not have the culture of checking the fitness of their vehicle before travelling; pointing out that such development was the major cause of road crashes.
He said that aside from accident, traveling in the night posed more danger to travellers in terms of armed robbery attack.
Ugoh urged the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) to be more alert to their responsibility by ensuring that any vehicle on the road was certified fit and road worthy.
Ugoh also urged the leadership of the various driver unions to collaborate with VIOs in ensuring routine check of vehicles on the road.
He also advised road users to obey traffic laws and for the law enforcement agencies to ensure the prosecution of traffic offenders.
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