The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has expressed worry over the growing trend of reckless driving by some celebrities, content creators and social media influencers who, in the quest for online attention, deliberately flout traffic regulations and endanger lives.
Corps Marshal reaction followed a widely circulated video involving a popular TikTok streamer, Mr. Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, who was seen engaging in a live video stream while driving, an unlawful and highly dangerous act that culminated in a road traffic crash.In a message, made public by the Assistant Corps Marshal, Public Education Officer of the Corps, Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide, the incident could have resulted in loss of lives.”
This serves as a grim reminder that fame does not confer immunity from the law, nor does it excuse dangerous behaviour on public roads”.
He warned that live streaming, content creation, recording or engaging in any activity that distracts a driver while driving is a direct violation of established road traffic regulations and poses grave danger not only to the driver but to other innocent road users, noting that, “such actions undermine ongoing national efforts to reduce road traffic crashes and fatalities”.
To this end, the FRSC boss has directed the Lagos State Sector Commander to activate the necessary processes for the prosecution of the individual involved for reckless driving, use of phone while driving and distracted driving, in accordance with extant traffic laws, with immediate effect.
The Corps Marshal therefore urged Actors Guilds, entertainment associations, influencer networks and content creator communities to rebuke their members from unruly behavior and promote responsible conduct on the roads.
“Celebrities and influencers wield enormous influence, especially among young Nigerians, and must be seen as ambassadors of safety, not symbols of recklessness”, he advised.
He warned that the FRSC will not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law against any individual, celebrity or otherwise, found engaging in distracted or reckless driving, stressing that, “No social media content, online trend or momentary clout is worth a human life”.
The Corps Marshal further urged all road users to understand that public roads are not studios, stages or streaming platforms pointing out that roads are shared spaces governed by laws designed to preserve lives.
“Nigerians are encouraged to report dangerous driving behaviours and support collective efforts toward safer roads”.
FRSC promised to remain resolute in its mandate to ensure safer highways and reiterates that road safety is a shared responsibility that demands discipline, restraint and respect for the law by all, without exception.