LAGOS- The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), has concluded plans to feature as part of its “Don’t Drink and Drive” awareness campaign, workshops and seminars in the six geo-political zones, including Abuja.

The Head of the commission’s Public Education Department, Mr. Wole Olaniran disclosed this at a media briefing in Lagos, stating that the campaign is aimed at promoting responsible drinking among drivers and other road users thereby reducing the incidences of alcohol related road accidents.

According to him, the campaign which is in conjunction with the Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc, has been segmented and spread out over a period of four months with the initial flag-off in Lagos on the 18th of September, 2008.

The Corp Marshal and Chief Executive of the FRSC, Mr. Osita Chidoka with his NB Plc counterpart, Mr. Michiel Herkemij, he said would meet with stakeholders in the road transport industry and thereafter lead a motorized campaign through the popular Ojota motor park, and address road users.

Mr. Wole Olaniran gave the dates and locations of the workshops as follows; South- West 2nd October in Lagos, South-East 16th October in Enugu, South-South 28th October in Port-Harcourt, North-East 13th November in Bauchi, North-West 27th November in Kaduna and North-Central 9th December in Abuja.

FRSC he pointed out would mobilize stakeholders from the different transport
unions, Executive car rental companies, Government agencies, Key transport partners for the workshops where adequate information would be disseminated on the effect of alcohol on driving.

The media he said, “is equally an important stakeholder and participant” Reeling out statistics of road accidents in Nigeria, he said it is alarming to note that out of every five Nigerians, two are involved in alcohol related accident, “this is because alcohol is the most commonly used intoxicating drug, since it is a legally and socially accepted drug. Because of this freedom and legality, while most people choose to drink responsibly, others decide to drink irresponsibly thereby endangering their lives and those of other road users”