The Road Safety Officers’ Wives Association (ROSOWA) has warned motorists to prioritise safety and avoid reckless behaviour on the roads during the Ember Months, a period often associated with heightened travel and increased road crashes.
Speaking during a visit to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja, to commemorate the 2025 African Road Safety Day and the World Day for Remembrance of Road Traffic Victims, the President of ROSOWA, Hajia Nafisah Shehu Mohammed, urged drivers to exercise maximum caution to prevent avoidable tragedies.
Hajia Mohammed advised motorists to avoid speeding, stay off phones while driving and ensure their vehicles are properly checked before embarking on any trip, insisting that most crashes recorded during festive periods are linked to human error and poor vehicle maintenance.
“My advice is simple: drive safely, avoid distractions, check your vehicles and don’t drink and drive. A lot of crashes we see are preventable, especially during this period when movement increases,” she said.
The ROSOWA President also lamented the rise in hit-and-run cases, particularly in Abuja, describing the trend as worrisome and demanding stiffer penalties for offenders.
“We are seeing too many hit-and-run incidents. This is a wake-up call for stronger deterrents,” she added.
The association, accompanied by FRSC representatives, Special Marshals and volunteers, used the outreach to donate hospital stretchers, wheelchairs, crutches, toiletries, disinfectants and cash tokens to road crash victims at FMC.
The visit also featured targeted welfare support, including full sponsorship of the medical bills of an elderly female hit-and-run victim who suffers memory loss, a special medical package for a male patient with kidney complications and financial support for an elderly amputee.
Head of Emergency at FMC Jabi, Dr. Sumaila Timothy, commended the group, noting that most RTC cases treated at the hospital stem from reckless driving, brake failure and poor road use practices.
“Only yesterday, we treated 18 victims from a single crash caused by brake failure. Many of these tragedies are avoidable,” he said.
Also speaking, Deputy Corps Commander Henrietta Henshaw representing the Corp Marshal Shehu Mohammed, reminded motorists and passengers to remain vigilant, advising travellers to monitor drivers during long trips and insist on rest stops when necessary.
The FMC management, on behalf of the Chief Medical Director, thanked ROSOWA for its continued support, describing the visit as timely and impactful.
ROSOWA reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening advocacy on safer motoring and providing support to crash victims nationwide.
