Ember months: FRSC records 161 crashes, 69 deaths in 2019 in Ondo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Thursday, said it recorded  161 crashes with 53 fatal cases leading to 69 deaths in the 2019 ember months period in Ondo State.

Mr Godwin Ogagaogehene, FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer,  in-charge of Oyo, Osun and Ondo states, made this known during the inauguration of the 2020 Ember Month in Akure.

The theme of the 2020 ember  months is “Drive Safe, Stay Safe’.

Ogagaogehene said that the inauguration became necessary as a result of increased  human and vehicular movements across the three states.

He said the programme was targeted at educating the motoring public, especially during the yuletide period and to ensure the rate  of traffic crashes was reduced by 15 per cent and fatalities reduced by  20 per cent.

According to Ogagaogehene, the traffic crashes in Nigeria are  threats to  lives and properties of the citizens.

“In Ondo State, from Sept. to Dec. 2019 there were 161 crashes with 53 fatal cases leading to 69 deaths and 99 serious cases leading to 414 injuries.

“The causes of these crashes have been attributed to human errors such as dangerous driving, driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol and speed violations,  leading to loss of control.

“This time around, you need to be patient and don’t use mobile phones while driving because driving requires 100 per cent concentration.

“And, all motorists must observe traffic rules and regulations especially during this yuletide period.

“Overloading and speeding must be shunned while COVID -19 protocols should be adhered to by both  drivers and passengers,” he said.

Ogagaogehene said the FRSC would not rest on its oars but continue to pursue its goal to reduce  rate of traffic crashes to the barest minimum by ensuring that road users adhered strictly to traffic regulations.

Also speaking, Mr Ahmed Hassan, FRSC Sector Commander in Ondo state, said it had become imperative for all motorists to change their attitude in order to transform driving etiquette on the road.

“It has been proven beyond doubts that human errors and negligence constitute the highest occurrence of road traffic crashes in the country.

“The vision of corps this yuletide is to create a safe monitoring environment where road traffic crashes will result in no death.

“I wish to use this opportunity to make a clarion call to other sister agencies, companies, stakeholders and other establishments to join hands with the corps in ensuring a safer monitoring environment,” Hassan said.

Edited By: Chioma Ugboma/Razak Owolabi
(NAN)