FRSC tasks stakeholders on professional driver education
By Folashade Peterson
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in collaboration with the Gombe State Government, has begun a two-day training for 65 driving school proprietors and instructors in the Northeast.
Our correspondent reports that the training which was held in Gombe on Monday is aimed at upholding professional standards in driver education, curbing road crashes and promoting safer highways.
In his speech, Gov Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, represented by his deputy, Dr Mannasah Jatau, highlighted that human error was responsible for over 95% of road traffic crashes.
Yahaya said that, in view of this, training drivers in skills, knowledge, attitude, and behavioural patterns was imperative to ensure safety and prevent fatalities.
He said that the training would contribute to ensuring drivers were more equipped with the right knowledge while improving professional driver education and reducing road crashes.
“Training these instructors and driving school proprietors will help reduce, to the barest minimum, road traffic crashes.
“Such training will positively impact reducing some of the causes of death, hospitalisation, and loss of wealth and property experienced by society on a daily basis,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Mr Shehu Mohammed, the FRSC Corps Marshal, said that training driving school operators in emerging vehicle technology and modern road trends aimed at deepening the culture of safety on highways.
Represented by the Assistant Corps Marshal, Felix Theman, Mohammed said that the Driving School Standardisation Programme (DSSP) was crucial to ensuring professionalism and safety.
He stated that the training would equip participants with the knowledge necessary to resolve behaviour issues that led to road crashes.
“The corps is poised to ensure optimal adaptation to evolving vehicle technology and modern road trends,” he said.
He said that the workshop highlighted the agency’s determination to modernise driver training with a view to enhancing behavioural change.
“The training has also promoted professionalism among driving instructors, enhanced credibility of the driver licensing process, and strengthened collaboration with state governments and other stakeholders,” he said.
On his part, Mr Samson Kaura, the FRSC Sector Commander in Gombe State, said one of the most critical pillars of road safety management was driver education and training.
Kaura said that drivers were the most active participants in the road transport system, and their knowledge, skills, and attitudes largely determine how safe roads were used.
He said that, in that regard, driving schools occupy strategic and indispensable positions in shaping driver behaviour and promoting a culture of safety, discipline, and responsibility on the roads.
Kaura further cautioned against sharp practices, emphasising that any school owner involved in illegal dealings would face consequences.
Also speaking, Mr Victor Akpan, Chairman of Gombe State Driving School Proprietors, commended the FRSC for their efforts in training them on innovative ways to improve professionalism and enhance safety on roads.
Akpan urged residents to desist from home-training their spouses but engage their services for a more profound understanding of what driving entailed.
Our correspondent reports that the theme of this year’s workshop is “Professional Driver Education: Using Innovative Training Models to Improve Road Safety and Reduce Fatalities in Nigeria.”
