They are better known for poking fun at personalities but now popular comedians Ian “Ity” Ellis and Alton “Fancy Cat” Hardware have joined the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) in a serious campaign to inform the public on correct road usage.

Public messages from the duo on road safety hit the airwaves in late December and runs until mid-January.

The electronic media clips are part of the council’s activities to heighten public observance of the rules of the road and increase caution by all road users, noted Paula Fletcher NRSC executive director.

Fletcher added that along with the National Health Fund as a joint partner, the council would be intensifying its effort this year to curtail traffic fatalities, especially among pedestrians.

Pedestrians, at 39.8 per cent, recorded the highest number of fatalities over last year.

According to Fletcher the NRSC would be hosting a seminar during the first quarter of this year, to examine the “alarming increase” in pedestrian road-deaths, highlight contributing-factors to road mishaps, and explore interventions that are required to reduce traffic crashes.

“We have to be very aggressive to find out what is happening,” Fletcher remarked on Wednesday. She said that conversations have already been initiated with childrens’ authorities to chart a cohesive approach.

In addition to its public campaign, NRSC activities to sensitise road users also involve close interaction with the police on critical road safety and regulatory matters.

“We have to be in conversation with the police at all times to ensure that they have adequate assistance in ensuring that drivers obey the law,” said Fletcher adding that the effectiveness of equipment such as radar guns and ‘breathalysers’ is routinely monitored.