PRESS CONFERENCE TAGGED “DRIVERS‘ EDUCATION, RECOGNITION AND MOTIVATION: VITAL TOOLS FOR ROAD TRAFFIC CRASH REDUCTION” TO OFFICIALLY KICK START THE YEAR 2024 “BEST DRIVER IN NIGERIA COMPETITION AND FREE ROAD SAFETY EDUCATION”
@ Green Minds Hotel, Utako, Abuja, FCT. On Thursday, 27th June, 2024.
Speech delivered by Jide Owatunmise (Project Co – Ordinator)
Protocols.
Several Global and National Research Reports have affirmed that over 80 per cent of Road Traffic Crashes (Accidents) were caused by the Human Factors while over 70 percent were attributed to Drivers. That is, if the causative factors associated with the Drivers are effectively addressed, the rate of Road Traffic Crashes will be significantly and sustainably reduced. As high as the rate of Road Traffic Crashes, Injuries and Deaths are, they are preventable with adequate Knowledge and Compliance to the Road Rules which over 70% of all classes of Drivers currently know little or nothing about.
Vehicle Technology has been changing, Road Traffic Regulations are regularly updated, the Mental and Physical Fitness of Drivers/Riders is not static and the road environment is also dynamic among other developments.
Section 57 (1) of the National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR 2012 and 2016 Ammendments) clearly state that Drivers (and Riders) are to undergo a minimum of Cummulative 9 (Nine) hours of Competence training before every renewal of their Drivers’ Licence. The Resolutions of the National Council on Transportation (NCT, 8th December, 2022) also affirmed that the Employers of Drivers and even Drivers of Personal Vehicles should periodically undergo seminars in Driving and Road Safety use in Nigeria thereby reducing the rate of Road Traffic Crashes on Nigeria roads.
It is however disheartening that over 80 per cent of the Drivers are not complying with the provisions of the Law(NRTR) and the Resolutions of NCT on the need for regular updating of knowledge, skills and attitudes on Driving in Nigeria.
Driving is one of the most complex tasks because it involves the simultaneous use of the Eyes, Ears and Nose to gather information, the Brain to interpret the information gathered and the Hands and Legs to apply the interpreted information in a continuously changing environment to enhance effective and safe vehicle control.
Research reports revealed that most of the Government MDAs, Private sector Organizations, Professional Commercial Divers and Drivers of Self – own vehicles who have not been complying with the provisions of the Laws on the Compulsory regular proficiency training, complained of lack of time and or money to undergo the regular training while some were not even aware of the existence of the Laws and Resolutions.
In view of the high rate of Road Traffic Crashes, Injuries and Deaths in Nigeria, there is therefore an urgent need to bridge the gaps towards ensuring Safety on Nigeria roads.
Our Organization, Professional Driving and Safety Academy in collaboration with several Road Safety Stakeholders initiated and commenced the Annual Drivers’ Day event in Nigeria on 15th November, 2023. Representatives of the relevant Stakeholders attended the event including Ministry of Transportation, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Directorate of Road Traffic Services (VIOs), Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI), Transport Unions, NGOs/CSOs, Media and Driving Schools among others.
The expanded year 2024 edition of the Annual Drivers’ Day has 3 (three) branches of events as follows:
- Best Driver in Nigeria Competition and Free Road Safety Education.
- International Drivers Conference.
- Awards to deserving Organizations and Individuals in Transportation and Road Safety.
GOAL – To collaborate with all Stakeholders to advocate for Policies, Initiatives and Activities which will more effectively enhance Road Safety Education and Safer Road Use in Nigeria
OBJECTIVES:
- To boost Road Safety Education.
- To enhance Road Safety Consciousness.
- To reiterate the relevance of Drivers and Riders in the prevention of Road Traffic Crashes (Accidents).
- To boost Drivers’ and Riders’ Motivation for improved performance and Safety.
- To significantly reduce the rate of Road Traffic Crashes, Injuries and Deaths.
- To emphasise the fact that Road Safety is a Shared Responsibility.
- To promote Road Safety Culture for all Road Users in Nigeria.
BENEFITS OF THE BEST DRIVER IN NIGERIA COMPETITION:
- Special Awards and Resourceful IEC Packages for Organizations whose Drivers, Riders and other Staff participate in the Competition and Free Road Safety Training.
- Move Nigeria forward among other Countries in the accomplishment of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021 – 2030).
- Free Road Safety Training with Certificates for all Participants to further enhance their knowledge, skills, attitudes and characters for safe driving in all situations.
- Free Easy to understand Books on Driving, Riding and Safety Tips.
- Opportunity to win the Star Prize, Runner Ups and varieties of Consolation Prizes.
- Motivation for improved performance of Driver and Riders in their workplace.
- Improved commitment to Safety on the roads by all the Professional Drivers and Riders as well as other Staff driving official or personal vehicles.
- Prevention of Road Traffic Crashes which saves Lives, Time and Money for the Staff and Employers.
YEAR 2024 BEST DRIVER IN NIGERIA COMPETITON AND FREE ROAD SAFETY TRAINING:.
It will be very transparent right from the Screening stages to the Grand Finale Award of Prizes. It is not a Lottery, There will be no Raffle Draw and There is no Loser (all Participants will receive Comprehensive Road Safety Training with Certificates, Books Gifts and other benefits at various stages of the Contest).
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? – Men and Women who are either employed as Corporate Drivers, Drivers of Commercial Vehicles, Drivers of Private Vehicles, E – Hailing Drivers, Drivers of Self – Own Vehicles, Riders of Tricycles and Motorcycles and other Men and Women of 18 years and above who can Drive or Ride.
STAGES OF COMPETITION: The Competition will run through the following 4 stages:
Stage 1 – Registration of Participants – N2,000.00 (two thousand naira) to be paid as registration fee per Participant.
Stage 2 – Screening and Free Road Safety Training, Screening in each of the 36 States and FCT.
Group Registration, Training and Screening is also available.
Stage 3 – Final Screening for all the Winners selected from the 36 States and FCT. Their Transportation, Accommodation and Feeding will be sponsored at this stage.
Stage 4 – Grand Finale in Abuja (Presentation of Prizes and Awards).
It is not a Lottery. There will be no Raffle Draw. The process is Transsparent. There is No Loser.
PRIZES:
Best Driver – A Car worth N20,000,000.00 (twenty million naira) and N2,000,000.00 (two million naira) cash.
- First Runner up – N5,000,000.00 (five million naira) cash.
- Second Runner up – N3,000,000.00 (three million naira) cash.
- 4th to 10th position – N1,000,000.00 (one million naira) cash each.
- Varieties of Consolation Prizes for all other Contestants.
DATES:
- Starting Date – Registration for participation starts from 28th June, 2024 nationwide.
- Screening and Free Road Safety training starts from 1st July, 2024.
- Grand Finale – 21st November, 2024 at the International Conference Center in Abuja with VIPs in Government, International Communities, Private Sector Organizations and Civil Society Organizations in attendance.
With the involvement of the Drivers of Government MDAs, and rivate Sector Organizations, Professional Commercial Drivers, Drivers of Self – own vehicles, Riders of Motorcycles and Tricycles and Employers of Drivers in our Annual Best Driver in Nigeria Competition and Free Road Safety Training, we shall successfully and more effectively take the Comprehensive and Result – oriented Proficiency training to the door-steps of all Categories of Drivers, Riders and Vehicle Owners at their own convenient Time, Location, Online or Physical and Free of charge every year – while also providing a platform for Drivers and Riders to showcase their Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes and Behaviours in driving, all geared towards sustainably boosting safety by and for all road users in Nigeria.
Jide Owatunmise
* Registrar/Chief Executive, Professional Driving and Safety Academy.
* Fmr National President, Association of Driving Instructors of
Nigeria (ADIN).
* Fmr National President, Driving School Association of Nigeria
(DSAN).
* Director of Studies, Institute of Driving Instructors of Nigeria.
* Training Coordinator, Institute of Professional Drivers of
Nigeria (IPDN)
* Member, World Federation Against Drug Abuse.
* Tel &Whatsapp: 08033216376
* E-mail: roadsafetytrainers@yahoo.com
* Websites – www.drivingandsafety.com
* Best Driver Competition Website www.drivingandsafety.com/best-driver-in-nigeria-competition