Mr Clement Oladele, the Ogun Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), has advised motorists to exercise utmost caution when overtaking articulated vehicles to reduce road accidents, especially during the yuletide.
Oladele gave the advice at the launching of the 2017 FRSC Ember Months’ campaign on Thursday in Sagamu, Ogun.
The theme for the campaign is: “Right to Life on the Highway, Not Negotiable’’.
He stressed the need to enlighten road users on their safety during the period, which he described as the busiest during the year as more people traveled to observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.
“These vehicles are special vehicles. Sometimes we assume they can see us, but rather, most times, they don’t.
“If you drive 10 metres behind an articulated vehicle, I can bet you that the vehicle does not have you in its visual range with the way the mirrors are arranged.
“Even when driving ahead, you must give a distance of about six metres for the driver of the truck to properly see you.
“Caution must, therefore, be taken while overtaking such vehicles as you must ensure you have enough stretch for a successful manoeuvre, else the result is a crash.
“The closer to the head of the truck that you are, the lesser the chance you are seen by the driver.
“Common sense should prevail and motorists must take note of these blind spots so as not to be overrun by the truck,” he said.
The sector commander also implored truck drivers to always inspect their vehicles before embarking on any journey to avoid such vehicles breaking down and obstructing traffic.
The FRSC Sagamu Unit Commander, Mohammed Abdullahi, said the Corps would do all it could to ensure the safety of all during the period.
Abdullahi urged drivers to adhere to traffic regulations.
He said that broken down vehicles along the major corridors of the command would be promptly removed to prevent traffic gridlocks.
The unit commander said the Corps recorded 33 deaths in Sagamu axis alone, between January and November.