The Chief Executive Officer of Guinness Nigeria Plc., Mr Peter Ndegwa, on Wednesday said that the company’s haulage drivers were well trained and would not indulge in traffic violations.
Ndegwa made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the official flag off of the “2016 Guinness/Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Responsible Drinking Ember Months Campaign’’ on Wednesday at Ketu Garage, Lagos.
NAN reports that the ember months’ campaign now in the 9th edition, is geared toward orientation of commercial drivers on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Ndegwa told NAN that the drivers manning the company’s goods in transit were well informed about the dangers of traffic offences through various training programmes organised for them.
“The records are there to see, our drivers are selected from the pool of responsible citizens that will not engage in traffic offences or contributing to road crashes.
“They are well trained and informed though I don’t have the statistics of accidents involving our drivers but I am certain that their road crashes are minimal.
“Guinness Plc pays serious attention to activities of road users and that is why we are partnering with FRSC in ensuring that our roads are free from accidents.
“It is a course we have been supporting for about a decade now and we will still continue with it probably bringing in other innovations to ensure that our roads are safe from crashes,’’ he told NAN.
Ndegwa said that it was imperative for Guinness Plc to partner with FRSC on safety during the ember months to give adequate sensitisation on the dangers inherent in drunk driving to the populace.
“The significance of this campaign is to educate the drivers as we get to the festive season on the inherent dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol.
“The drivers need to look after themselves and also the passengers that they are conveying. We caution them not to drink while driving and to avoid the risk.
“We, as consumer organisation, harps on the safety on our roads; so we advise drivers to only to enjoy their drinks outside their works because it is good for everyone to enjoy.
“Drinking becomes injurious when it is abused and every year we assess the success through the statistics of each campaign because they are well documented,’’ he said.
Also, the FRSC Sector Commander, Lagos State Command, Mr Hyginus Omeje, told NAN the corps was gradually winning the war against driving under the influence of alcohol.
“FRSC is gradually winning the war against road crashes associated with drunk driving. It is a war that we have started few years back and we will patiently pursue the course.
“The war is like a child sent to schools to learn, so, it is a gradual process; many of the motorists are now coming to terms on the need for them to stay alive.
“Although the statistics are not encouraging enough for now, but we will get there by the grace of God and road crashes will be reduced to the barest minimum.
“Our approach is to carry out extensive test on drivers along various motor parks and major corridors within the state at random and breathalysing of motorists at sobriety checkpoint centres.
“With this, our aim will be achieved and more drivers will stay off alcohol while driving,’’ he said. (NAN)