The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ondo State Command said, on Thursday, that road crashes reduced by 4.6 per cent in the state from January to September 2023.
Ezekiel SonAllah, FRSC Sector Commander in the state, disclosed this in Akure at a news conference to commemorate 2023 African Road Safety Day And World Day Of Remembrance For Road Traffic Victims.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the programme was ‘Justice Slogan: Remember Support Act’.
Mr SonAllah explained that the reduction in the number of road traffic crashes was achieved through the enlightenment and advocacy programmes embarked on by the command.
He said that the command would not relent on its oaths to protect lives and properties on highways.
“In 2022, between January and September, 237 total crashes were recorded, while 226 recorded in 2023 with a 4.6 per cent decrease.
“In the same months under review, 746 casualties were recorded in 2022 and 657 in 2023 with 11.9 per cent decrease, and 1,769 people involved in crashes in 2022 while 1,297 involved in 2023 with 26.7 per cent decrease.
“During the same period, 97 people were killed in 2022, while 116 were killed in 2023, which shows 19.59 per cent increase. Also, 649 people were injured in 2022, while 541 were injured in 2023 with 16.6 per cent decrease.
“The command will not rest on its efforts until we are able to record zero crash on our roads,” he said.
Mr SonAllah said that the annual remembrance day programme was to promote evidence-based actions to prevent and eventually stop further road traffic deaths and injuries.
He said that the command would continue to deploy its personnel and logistics to man the highways across the state.
Enforcement plan
The sector commander said that the command would aggressively enforce critical offences of overloading, speed limit violation and the use of cell phones while driving.
Mr SonAllah said laws on driving under alcohol/drug influence, wrongful overtaking, dangerous driving, failure to install speed limit device, among others, would also be enforced.
The sector commander charged motorists to ensure that their vehicles were in good condition before embarking on any journey, especially during the festive seasons.
READ ALSO: NSA canvasses enlightenment, education at grassroots to end terrorism
“Like what we said during the ember months campaign, life has no duplicate because if you are driving with defective headlights, you are risking your own life and others.
“Motorists need to do the needful before plying the highways, both day and night, because what road crash understand is simple obedience of rules and regulations of road traffic.
“As we are advocating for zero crash in Ondo State, we need to realise it is collective efforts and all hands must be on deck.
“As we remember the lives of people that died today, we need to shun whatever could lead to loss of lives and properties,” he advised.
(NAN)
Support PREMIUM TIMES’ journalism of integrity and credibility
Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.
Donate
TEXT AD: Call Willie – +2348098788999
