By SAM POPOOLA, Ifo
The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency has cautioned truck and heavy-duty drivers to be more safety conscious when faced with challenges and limitations on the road. 

The TRACE Corps Commander /CEO, 'Seni Ogunyemi, who handed down the warning during Children Safety/Campaign Talk, at Pakoto, Ifo, in the state, stated that drivers should be mindful of pedestrian rights despite challenges and limitations facing them on the road. 

Speaking on behalf of the TRACE Commander, The Ifo Divisional Commander, Oyebola AM who engaged both drivers and students of Pakoto High School on Children Safety/Campaign Talk, on Tuesday, said drivers should take serious safety of pedestrians no matter the level of challenges they face. 

The occasion was when TRACE, Ifo division in collaboration with Lafarge cement Company visited Pakoto High School, Ifo on 12th March 2024 for the Children Safety/Campaign Talk, centered on proper usage of the road by all road users especially pedestrians with a keen interest in the pupils.

Mr. Ademola Akindele who led a team from Lafarge company had earlier spoken in favor of truck drivers, saying there were some driver's blind spots. 

He emphasized that "truck drivers have their limitations and challenges they face when driving on the road due to the height and length of their trucks. 

"These limitations make it difficult for them to observe objects that are too close to them. 

"This implies that all road users should be visible to truck drivers by giving enough distance to them either to the right, left, front, or back. 

"This will enable them to see everything surrounding them clearly before they make their decisions.

 Delivering the safety talk targeted at the students, on behalf of the TRACE Commander Ifo Divisional commander, Oyebola brought out the following points as safety tips for pedestrians when using the road. He said this will serve as safety tips to guard the students to walk safely on the road and be protected as every road user has their right of way while on the road.

1. Students must not walk and back oncoming vehicles.
 
2. Students must not walk in clusters on the road.

3. Must be safety conscious on the road, giving full concentration.

4 Students must make use of walkways and pedestrian bridges where available.

5. Students must watch both sides of the road carefully i.e. look left, look right, and look left as well as see the road is cleared before crossing, and be alert to avoid one-way drivers on the road so as not to be crushed down.

6. Students must avoid the use of phones while walking on the road.

7. Students must identify a good position to cross the road, it must not be at a bend.

8. Students must make use of Zebra crossing where is available and ensure they know their intention, which is to cross the road.

9. Students must ensure vehicles come to a halt or standstill before they cross

10. On Zebra crossing, students should walk briskly Not run to cross

11. Where zebra crossing is not available students should approach traffic officers for assistance.

In his closing remarks, the Divisional Commander  encourages the students who are already members of TRACE Club in the school to share the knowledge obtained during the campaign with their colleagues and friends at home to make the roads free and safe for children.