FRSC records 58 road crashes, 119 casualties in 10 months in A’Ibom

Akpan Udoh, Uyo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Akwa Ibom State Command has recorded 58 road crashes and 119 casualties from January to October 2021.

The Sector Commander in the state, Mr Matthew Olonisaye, said this during a press briefing to commemorate African Road Safety Day and the World Day of Remembrance for Victims of Road Traffic Crashes in Uyo on Wednesday. 

Olonisaye, who was represented by his deputy and head of operations, Mr David Irunoje, stated that in 2020, the command recorded 93 road crashes with 143 casualties.

He added that the 38 per cent decrease of road crashes between 2020 and 2021 in the state was due to intensive sensitisation of the motoring public by the agency.

He said the World Day of Remembrance for Victims of Road Traffic Crashes was set aside by the United Nations on every third week of November to remember millions of lives lost or hurt in road traffic crashes.

According to Olonisaye, the activities were expected to highlight measures being taken by national governments, non-governmental organisations, and religious bodies communities against the menace of road traffic crash.

He said: “In view of the available crash record, it is evident to state that frantic efforts are being made by Corps to put a halt to the increasing and alarming rate of road traffic crashes occasioned by reckless/dangerous and speeding along the major interstate corridors within Akwa Ibom State and to reduce the rate of abandonment of vehicles that cause needless traffic deadlock within Uyo metropolis

“Therefore, I call on all and sundry to join in this sensitisation campaign to instil the culture of safety consciousness in all road users, ” he said.

The sector commander urged road users especially drivers to think safety and act safely as the yuletide season was drawing near.

He urged drivers to ensure that they keep their vehicles in roadworthy condition, use good quality tyres, avoid overloading, night trips, use of alcohol and excessive speed, stressing that speed kills.

“We must embrace discipline and commit ourselves to the cause of crash prevention and loss reduction on the road by ensuring discipline through courtesy to other road users and obedience to traffic rules and regulations,” Olonisaye said.

The sector commander assured Akwa Ibom people that the FRSC would continue to work with strategic stakeholders to pursue public enlightenment programmes and aggressive enforcement of traffic rules to serve as a deterrent to traffic violators.

He said that the corps would join relevant stakeholders to create the necessary awareness in the weeklong activities to address the challenges of road crashes.

Olonisaye urged members of the public to remember the plight that victims of road traffic crashes, their families, friends and loved ones suffer by avoiding infractions that undermine their safety.

The sector commander advocated for better support for road traffic victims and victim families and promote evidence-based actions to prevent and eventually stop further road deaths and injuries.