Ember Months: FRSC warns motorists against overloading, mix-loading

By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Abia Sector Command, says it will deploy 927 personnel to enforce road safety regulations during its 2026 Ember Months campaign.

The Sector Commander, Mrs Ngozi Ezeoma, disclosed this at a news briefing in Umuahia on Monday.

Ezeoma said the campaign, themed “Overloading and Mix-Loading: A Dangerous Trend to Avoid”, would involve 500 regular marshals and 427 special marshals.

She said the command would also deploy seven patrol vehicles, three administrative vehicles, an ambulance and a tow truck to support its operations.

According to her, the personnel and operational equipment would be deployed across the command’s five unit commands, with particular attention given to major highways, identified crash-prone areas, motor parks and traffic junctions.

She explained that the patrol vehicles would support highway patrol, traffic monitoring, enforcement and rapid intervention, while the administrative vehicles would facilitate operational coordination and supervision.

The ambulance and tow truck, she added, would provide emergency response, casualty assessment, vehicle recovery and prompt removal of road obstructions in the event of crashes.

On supervision, Ezeoma said the command had introduced monitoring mechanisms to ensure that personnel performed their duties professionally and in accordance with the corps’ operational guidelines.

She said officers would undergo daily pre-patrol briefings and be subjected to 24-hour surveillance while on duty.

She added that she and other senior officers would monitor personnel deployed across the state to ensure effective service delivery and compliance with operational standards.

According to her, the measures reflect the command’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption and misconduct during and after the campaign.

Explaining the campaign’s theme, Ezeoma said it was designed to educate motorists on the dangers of overloading and mix-loading and reduce crashes associated with the practices.

She described overloading as carrying passengers or goods beyond a vehicle’s approved capacity, while mix-loading involved transporting passengers alongside animals or incompatible goods.

“Overloading compromises vehicle stability, braking efficiency and manoeuvrability, while mix-loading exposes passengers to additional dangers,” she said.

She said the campaign would also address other traffic violations, including excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking, driving against traffic, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, using mobile phones while driving and operating unroadworthy vehicles.

The sector commander said the first phase of the operation would run from October 26 to December 15, while the second phase would commence on December 15 and end on January 15, 2027.

She said the command had planned public enlightenment activities at motor parks, churches, mosques and other faith-based institutions, as well as motorcade rallies and the distribution of road safety educational materials.

Traditional rulers, transport unions, motor park operators and other stakeholders would also be engaged to encourage responsible driving and discourage dangerous road practices, she added.

Ezeoma further disclosed that the command would organise free medical outreach programmes for members of the motoring public, particularly commercial drivers, to assess their health conditions, psychological well-being and fitness to drive.

“A similar exercise was recently conducted at the Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal in the state capital,” she said.

She said the command would also collaborate with relevant government agencies, security organisations and construction companies to strengthen road safety interventions and address identified challenges on highways across the state.

Ezeoma said the command would intensify advocacy ahead of the 2027 general elections, noting that political campaigns, rallies and other election-related activities were likely to increase vehicular movement and create additional road safety challenges.

She appealed to traditional rulers, political leaders and community stakeholders to discourage reckless convoy operations, road obstruction and other activities capable of endangering lives during political engagements.

The sector commander said the success of the campaign should not be measured by the number of patrols conducted or traffic offenders arrested, but by the number of crashes prevented, lives saved and families spared the pain of losing loved ones.

She urged commercial vehicle operators, articulated vehicle drivers, transport unions and motor park managers to discourage overloading and mix-loading.

She also advised motorists to observe speed limits, avoid dangerous overtaking, ensure their vehicles were roadworthy, use seatbelts and refrain from driving when tired, distracted or under the influence of alcohol.

Passengers, she added, should take responsibility for their safety by refusing to board overloaded or unsafe vehicles.

“My message is simple: no financial gain, social engagement or destination is worth the loss of a human life.

“The Ember Months are for celebration, not mourning.

“Avoid overloading and mix-loading. Drive responsibly to arrive alive,” she said.

Ezeoma called for sustained collaboration among the FRSC, media organisations, traditional rulers, religious leaders, transport unions, security agencies and other stakeholders to promote safer roads.

( NAN)