Tina Amanda
Commuters and Commercial vehicle operators in Rivers state have been advised to apply safety consciousness, as they embark on any journey during the Yuletide season.
State Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Comrade Monday Eleazar, who stated this in an interview with our correspondent, described the Yuletide period as a season of pressure, where both passengers and drivers are always in hurry or rush to reach their destination.
Comrade Eleazar disclosed that there is high record of road accidents across the states, due to the pressure accompanied with the season as everyone wants to meet up one demand or the other.
He explained that unroadworthy vehicles are mostly used for transportation during the Yuletide season, as some private drivers use the period as an opportunity to make money.
He, however, encouraged commercial drivers to drive carefully, noting that all their needs can not be achieved in one day or in the Yuletide period.
“It is a period of pressure and the season is usually very rough, everybody is looking for means to make money. Both the driver and commuter need to apply caution, drivers should drive to stay alive as to come back to their family alive.
“It is not how soon you reach your destination, but safe. Drivers should drive with care and know that life has no duplicate.
“Most times, it is the passengers that mount pressure on drivers to speed the vehicle, commuters should allow drivers do their job, they should not pressure drivers. At any speed applied they will still get to their destination, the important thing is to reach alive, which is better than crashing on the way.”
Comrade Eleazar further advised passengers against boarding any moving vehicle on the road, but advised that they go to designated loading bays, bus stops, and motor Parks, to avoid falling prey to the so-called “one chance” criminals.
“Commuters that want to embark on a journey should go to the approved loading point, motor parks where vehicles are booked in turns, in case of any eventuality, from the booking the vehicle can be easily traced. But those who prefer to stand along the road and jump into any moving vehicle would fall victims to kidnap or armed robbery.
“Commuters should ensure they take down the plate number of any vehicle before boarding, so that if anything happens and such passenger is alive he or she can disclose the vehicle number for Investigation.”
