November 17, (THEWILL) – The Akwa Ibom State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it recorded 119 casualties from 58 road crashes between January and October 2021.
The sector commander, Matthew Olonisaye, disclosed this during a press briefing to commemorate African Road Safety Day and the World Day of Remembrance for Victims of Road Traffic Crashes held in Uyo on Wednesday.
Olonisaye, who was represented by David Irunoje, deputy corps commander and head of operations in the state, said that in 2020, the command recorded 93 road crashes and 143 casualties.
He attributed the 38 percent decrease in 2020 and 2021 to intensive sensitisation of the motoring public by the agency.
According to him, the World Day of Remembrance for Victims of Road Traffic Crashes was set aside by the United Nations to remember millions of lives lost or hurt in road traffic crashes.
Olonisaye said that 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 crashes.
“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 inter-state corridors within Akwa Ibom State and to reduce the rate of abandonment of vehicles that cause needless traffic deadlock within Uyo metropolis.
“To tackle this menace headlong, the Corps deploys the instrument of public enlightenment campaign like this to reach to all categories of road users.
“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.
He urged road users especially drivers to think safety and act safely as the yuletide season was drawing near.
The commander advised drivers to ensure that they keep their vehicles in road worthy condition, use good quality tryes, 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 stressed.
He 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 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.
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