Guinness Nigeria Plc, in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) is set to organize a structured training programme for new drivers undergoing licensing by sensitizing them on road safety rules.

The Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria, Mr. Peter Ndegwa, made this known during a press briefing to commence the 2017 FRSC/Guinness campaign for responsive drinking during the ember months.

According to Ndegwa, the training will help increase the awareness on the need to ensure safety on the road by avoiding drink-driving.

“Education and awareness will make a big difference. You have to let people know that drinking and driving do not, and should never meet,” he said.

The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, who was represented by the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, said in a speech that the campaign was aimed at complementing the FRSC’s efforts towards safer motoring environment across the country.

Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria PLC, Mrs Viola Graham-Douglas; Corp Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC)​, Mr Bisi Kazeem​; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Guinness Nigeria PLC, Mr Peter Ndegwa; Corp Commander, Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) Lagos State Command, Mr Hyginus Omeje; and Company Secretary and Legal Director, Guinness Nigeria PLC, Mr Rotimi Odusola at the 2017 Guinness-FRSC flag-off ceremony in Lagos.

The Sector Commander, FRSC Lagos Command, Mr. Hyginus Omeje, said the FRSC was in partnership with Guinness because one of the commission’s core mandate of educating drivers and other road users on safety tips.

He noted that bad attitude of road users as well as low level of road safety education and awareness was responsible for many road accidents.

The Sector Commander added that studies had shown that the causes of road traffic crashes were road, vehicle, and human factors, with human factor responsible for 85% of accidents.

Omeje, who described the annual campaign as ‘spot on’ in reducing drink-driving, said the campaign took a new turn in 2015 with the provision of breathalyzers by Guinness Nigeria.

He said the breathalyzers were being used to test drivers’ use of alcohol while driving.

He stated that drivers who tested positive would be sanctioned.

“Aside from the ticket that will be issued, requiring the payment of a fine, the vehicle will be impounded, and the driver will be charged to court,” he noted.

According to him, a total of 1,298 drivers, who were stopped at random have been tested for alcohol influence since December 2015 till date.

“A total of 134 of these drivers tested positive, of which 50 per cent were commercial bus drivers. This is the reason why this year’s campaign will be taken to motor parks,” he said.