The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has warned motorists against distractions from social media, emotional distress and fatigue. He said these factors could affect concentration and increase the risk of road crashes.
Mohammed gave the warning on Friday at the fourth Vanguard Mental Health Summit in Lagos, where he served as chairman. The summit focused on youth mental health in Nigeria, particularly the effects of social media, technology and wellbeing.
FRSC Links Mental Wellbeing to Road Safety
Mohammed said safe driving requires concentration, sound judgment, emotional stability and responsible decision-making. He warned that stress, anger and fatigue could weaken a driver’s ability to make safe choices on the road.
According to him, motorists distracted by notifications, online arguments or emotional distress could endanger themselves and other road users. He stressed that drivers must remain mentally alert whenever they are behind the wheel.
“A driver who is mentally distracted by a social-media notification, an online argument or emotional distress may become a danger not only to himself or herself, but also to other road users,” Mohammed said.
The FRSC boss said road safety campaigns should pay greater attention to the relationship between mental wellbeing, responsible technology use and safe behaviour. He emphasised that road safety involves more than obeying traffic rules.
“Our message is simple: A healthy mind contributes to a safer road. A distracted mind can contribute to a road crash,” he said.
Mohammed Warns Against Excessive Social Media Use
The Corps Marshal acknowledged that digital technology and social media provide important benefits for young people. These platforms offer access to information, educational resources, mental health awareness, peer support and professional networks.
However, he warned that excessive screen time and harmful online experiences could affect emotional wellbeing. He identified cyberbullying, online harassment, social comparison, misinformation and harmful content as key concerns.
Mohammed also highlighted the pressure young people may face when trying to maintain an idealised online identity. He said these experiences could affect their emotional state and contribute to distractions that undermine safe behaviour.
He argued that the answer was not to demonise technology. Instead, he called for balanced, responsible and healthy engagement with digital platforms.
FRSC Boss Calls for Better Youth Mental Health Support
Mohammed called for affordable, confidential and youth-friendly mental health services across Nigeria. He specifically highlighted counselling and psychosocial support as important services for young people.
He also urged government agencies, schools, parents, media organisations, religious institutions and civil society groups to work together. According to him, these stakeholders must challenge stigma and promote greater awareness of mental health issues.
The FRSC chief said young people need supportive environments where they can discuss emotional difficulties and seek help. He stressed that improving mental health awareness requires cooperation across different parts of society.
Mohammed Tasks Stakeholders on Mental Health Awareness
The Corps Marshal commended Vanguard for sustaining its annual mental health summit. He said the media plays an important role in shaping public attitudes and providing accurate information about mental health.
He added that media organisations could amplify young people’s experiences and hold institutions accountable for their mental health commitments. He urged stakeholders to turn discussions at the summit into practical action.
Mohammed called on parents to listen more closely to young people. He also urged schools to strengthen psychosocial support and employers to promote healthier workplaces.
In addition, he called on technology platforms to take stronger action against harmful content and online abuse. He said coordinated efforts could help create safer digital spaces and improve public understanding of mental wellbeing.
FRSC Pledges Continued Road Safety Education
Mohammed reaffirmed the FRSC’s commitment to public education on responsible road use. He said the corps would continue promoting awareness of distraction prevention, emotional self-regulation and fatigue management.
His remarks highlighted the connection between mental alertness and road safety. They also underscored the need for motorists to recognise distractions and manage their emotional state before driving.
The warning formed part of broader discussions at the summit on youth mental health and the influence of technology. The event brought attention to the roles of families, schools, employers, media organisations and digital platforms in promoting wellbeing.
