The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued a critical safety alert to motorists participating in the Lenten and Ramadan fasts, warning that physical exhaustion and dehydration are major catalysts for road accidents. With both Christian and Muslim faithful observing their respective holy periods, the Corps emphasized that spiritual devotion must be balanced with physical alertness to ensure that the journey to prayer doesn’t end in tragedy.
Speaking in Ota, Mr. Nasir Mohammed, the FRSC Commander for the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway, noted that the timing of this advice is vital as the fasting seasons coincide. He highlighted that the body’s reaction to prolonged abstinence from food and water—specifically reduced concentration and slower reflexes—poses a significant threat on high-speed corridors. The warning follows the commencement of the 40-day Catholic Lenten season and the Islamic month of Ramadan.
To mitigate these risks, the FRSC has introduced a mandatory “Rest Protocol,” urging drivers to pull over and observe a break after every four hours of continuous driving. Commander Mohammed stressed that these intervals are non-negotiable for fasting drivers, as they provide a necessary window to combat the onset of fatigue and the mental fog that often accompanies dehydration during long shifts behind the wheel.
Beyond fatigue management, the Corps also issued a stern warning against “sunset speeding”—the dangerous trend of motorists driving recklessly to reach their destinations in time for Iftar or evening meals. The Commander reminded drivers that wrongful overtaking and over-speeding remain the leading causes of carnage on the Sagamu-Ore-Benin axis, urging them to prioritize arriving late over not arriving at all.
In a final appeal, the FRSC enjoined all road users to adhere strictly to safety regulations, framing road safety as a collective responsibility. By combining spiritual discipline with traffic discipline, the Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, aims to see a significant reduction in road crashes during this holy season. The underlying message to all faithful remains clear: “Drive to stay alive.”
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