BSG, FRSC Partner on Don’t Drink and Drive Campaign

By Adedapo Adesanya

As part of efforts to complement the role of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in ensuring the safety of all road users, the Beer Sectoral Group (BSG) of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) is upping the ante on awareness against drink driving.

Business Post gathered from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that Nigeria alone recorded a  total of 3,345 road traffic crashes as of the first quarter of this year, an average of 37 road crashes per day.

While the number of crashes decreased by 1.8 per cent from the 3,407 recorded in Q4 2021, the number of persons killed in road crashes in the first three months of this year increased by 11 per cent.

This necessitated the return of the campaign named Don’t Drink and Drive by both parties which kicked off on Wednesday, September 28, while park rallies will be held on September 29, 2022, in Ojota and Berger parks in Lagos State, to enlighten road users on the dangers of drunk driving and ways.

The Chairman of BSG and Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr Baker Magunda, confirmed this development during the official launch of the campaign as a build-up on efforts by the government to boost awareness and change perception about the consumption of alcoholic beverages while driving.

Recall that in 2019, the campaign was held in two states, Lagos and Rivers State, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, while plans for the 2020 edition of the campaign were stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To ensure that the FRSC works efficiently in its task to ensure the safety of all road users, the BSG said it was committed to continuing to provide the FRSC with new breathalyzers while assisting the agency to calibrate its existing equipment.

Mr Magunda stated that the idea of the campaign is to support the FRSC in ensuring safety on Nigerian roads.

“FRSC as a key partner in the programme will conduct the rallies in line with the core components of the intervention. Globally, breathalyzers are reliable, quick, and accurate tools predominantly used by law enforcement officials to measure blood alcohol content,” he noted.

On his part, Mr Dauda Biu, the Acting FRSC Corp Marshall, said “The partnership will ensure the “Don’t Drink and Drive” campaign will be sustained.

“We appreciate BSG’s efforts in supporting and prioritising our quest for the safety of Nigerians. The provision of breathalyzers will go a long way in checkmating drunk driving on our roads,” he concluded.