Road crashes: FRSC warns motorists in A’Ibom

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has warned drivers against reckless driving in Akwa Ibom as it recorded 55 road traffic crashes with 24 fatalities in seven months.

The FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mr Matthew Olonisaye, said this in a statement issued in Uyo and made available to newsmen on Monday.

Olonisaye said that the Command recorded 55 road traffic crashes between Jan and July 2022 as against 43 crashes and 16 fatalities recorded during the same period in 2021.

He described the percentage increase in crashes and fatalities in the state as unacceptable, stressing that it was worrisome to the command.

He warned motorists and all road users to adhere to all road traffic and regulations to ensure safety on the roads.

The sector commander called on all road users in the state to apply caution while using the roads, especially during this rainy season, noting that it takes the conscious effort of all and sundry to keep our roads safe.

“For January to July 2021, total number of Crash = 43, Fatality = 16 and January to July 2022, Crash = 55, Fatality = 24. Percentage difference: Crash = 27% increase, Fatality = 50% increase. Hence, the need for caution.

“It is life-depleting, psychologically traumatizing, property damaging, infrastructure depreciating and above all, economically bankrupting to have our motoring environment (roads) characterised by road carnages occasioned by the negligent attitude of some road users,” Olonisaye said.

Olonisaye said that the command would continue to do its best in ensuring adequate deployment of human and material resources to maintain sanity on the roads.

According to him, the personnel on the roads will maintain sanity through traffic control/calming, where necessary to enable the free flow of traffic.

He added that the command would continue to embark on public enlightenment of all sorts to sensitise the general public on safe road use and conduct enforcement to deter offenders.

The sector commander added that the command as part of its safety measures would station a stand-by rescue team, strategically for prompt response to any emergency situation, as well as liaise with tow operators for immediate removal of any obstruction on the road.

“It is pertinent therefore to mention that despite the numerous measures orchestrated to stem the tide of these unwholesome practices, some people have blatantly refused to heed the warnings but have continued to pay little or no attention to these traffic infractions.

“That turn out to be the causative factors for the incessant crashes on the roads which include but not limited to; driving against traffic (One-way drive), excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking, drunk driving, indiscriminate parking, use of phone while driving and overloading among others,” he said.

Olonisaye commended all who are making conscious efforts at ensuring safety on the roads by obeying road traffic rules and regulations.