Arrive Alive Road Safety Initiative (AARSI), is a duly accredited, non-governmental organization with the fundamental objectives of saving lives through enhancements of road safety awareness and ultimately, road safety culture among the citizenry. The AARSI is committed to the awareness, adoption and observance of global road safety practices towards reduction of the huge annual losses in human and material resources through accidents on our roads. It proposes to do this through a combination of policy and legislative reform advocacy and the execution of road safety actions, in collaboration with appropriate Government Agencies, which would be funded by the private sector, donor agencies and the international road safety community.
Objectives
The main objectives of AARSI include the following:
- To contribute significantly to reducing road traffic fatalities and injuries in Nigeria.
- To collaborate with Government, its agencies and stakeholders to support or oppose any legislative actions that may affect Road Safety in Nigeria.
- To provide services or assistance to persons or groups concerned with Road Safety in Nigeria.
- To partner with available skilled professionals towards the achievement of the ideals of AARSI.
- To make “Road Safety” a watchword of every household in Nigeria.
Why Road Safety in Nigeria
In 2004, an estimated 5000 lives were lost from road crashes on Nigerian motorways. This number more than tripled dramatically in 2006, with an estimated 16,000 people killed as a result of road crashes. Low awareness of road safety behavior among road users; poor road conditions; inadequacies in the enforcement and limited laws were some critical factors responsible for these unnecessary deaths.
Prioritized Road Safety Actions in Nigeria
The high priority focus areas for road safety actions based on impact assessment are:
- Motorcycle (Okada) Safety
- Pedestrian Safety
- Hot Spot Remediation
- Speeding Management
- Impaired Driving
The overall goal of our initiative is the prevention of the unacceptably high rates of motor vehicle crashes and fatalities in Nigeria. Our intervention plan was developed using a more holistic approach based on:
- Public Outreach and Education
- Safety Enforcement
- Safety Legislation and Advocacy
- Safety Engineering and Road Improvement
This approach is aimed at addressing road safety from multiple angles and reaching all road users including pedestrians.
Achievements So Far
- Successfully, identified and corrected two four Spots; Osborne Road bend in Ikoyi, Ogudu Junction, along Oworonsoki/Toll Gate expressway, the Anthony link road and Keffi street in Ikoyi. Our recent study showed that AARSI’s intervention at the two spots have had positive impact on the lives of people who live/work around the spots, as no crashes have been recorded since the corrections.
- Procurement of Breathalyzers for use by the law enforcement agencies in the implementation of Drunk Driving Project. Relevant enforcement agencies (FRSC and LASTMA) have been trained on the use of these equipments for the enforcement of the Don’t-Drink-and-Drive law. The equipments have been handed over to the Federal Road Safety Commission for use to check drunk drivers on the Nigerian highways.
- Procurement and Distribution of crash helmets to commercial Okada riders, within Victoria Island and Ikoyi, for the implementation of the crash helmet pilot scheme.
- Successfully held several pre-sensitization workshops for our motorcycle safety programs, engaging MOALS unit heads and operators. This has served as a springboard for the safety riding training as well as the helmet implementation within Victoria Island and Ikoyi environs.
- Successfully introduced Road Safety tips as well as established Road Safety Clubs in 10 secondary schools in Victoria Island and Ikoyi.
- Building collaborative mechanisms between AARSI and key stakeholders particularly law enforcement agencies: FRSC and LASTMA.
Membership
AARSI is currently co-sponsored by the following reputable organizations:
- Chevron Nigeria Limited
- Zenith Bank Plc
- First Bank of Nigeria Plc
- Diamond Bank Plc and
Members of the coalition pay an annual subscription fees and or additional amounts towards the implementation of identified road safety projects.
Formation
AARSI is three years old on current engagement and set-up.
Several stakeholders have partnered with AARSI from the developmental stages to the present project implementation stage. Key participants here include: Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), LASTMA, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Victoria Island and Ikoyi Residents’ Association (VIIRA), Road Safety Officers’ Wives Association (ROSOWA), The Nigerian Army, The Nigerian Police Force, Change Agents, Treasures Microfinance Bank and the various commercial Motorcycle Riders Unions, among others.
Board of Trustees
- Jim Ovia (Chris Onyemenam alternate) – Chair – Zenith Bank International Plc
- Femi Odumabo (Yomi Fawehinmi, alternate) – Chevron Nig. Ltd
- Bernadine Okeke (Franklin Erebor, alternate) – Vice Chair – First Bank Nigeria Plc
- Emeka Onwuka (Nkechi Nwosu, alternate) – Treasurer – Diamond Bank Plc
Required
- Technical Support
- Lead Advocacy in areas of capacity and institutional building & Policy Formulation
- Materials Support
- Financial Support
