… As Osun records 280 accidents, 78 deaths in 9 months***
A total of 74 deaths were recorded in the second quarter of this year, the Lagos Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said.
The Zonal Commanding Officer, Asst. Corp Marshal, Peter Kibo made the disclosure during the 2022 Ember month flag-off on Wednesday in Lagos.
Kibo, represented by the Lagos Sector Commander, Corps Commander Olusegun Ogungbemide said that a total figure of 232 people were injured.
He said another 10 deaths were recorded at Shagamu fire accident recently, adding that the safety of the road was everybody’s business.
The Theme of this year’s Ember Month Campaign: “Avoid Over Speeding, Overloading, Unsafe Tyre to Arrive Alive”.
“Many of the road users accused Government of not repairing the road while accidents usually occur on a smooth road.
” Lagos is blessed with gridlock that is while accidents are reduced within Lagos metropolis.
“Every day, people and emergency units are called for rescue due to excess speed.
” This is caused by lack of discipline and failure to obey the rules of Government regulatory road authorities,” Kibo said.
He said that virtually all the religious houses were always praying for protection, adding that both drivers and commuters too had roles to play in safety on the road.
He advised commuters not to leave the safety of the road to drivers alone because they also had their motive and interest to increase their turnover while they engage in overspeeding which could lead to accidents.
Kibo said that many reckless drivers do not feel the pain of death and urged them to avoid overspeeding while driving.
He pleaded with drivers to avoid night driving saying that 50 percent of death recorded in 2022 so far happen at night.
In a goodwill message, stakeholders advised motorists to obey safety rules in other to avoid crashes.
In his opening remarks, its Head of Operation, Mr. Lucas Oguntade described ember months as the month where intensive activities took place which involved traveling from one place to the other.
Oguntade advises motorists to ensure their safety and always check their health status which would help them in reducing accidents on the road.
He said a lot of accidents were caused as a result of bad eyesight, he commended the effort of medical experts who support them with free medical tests and Vision Spring for providing 250 free glasses to drivers with bad sight.
In his goodwill message Lt. Col. Emmanuel Sholotan, Commanding officer, 174 Battalion, Nigeria Army Ikorodu, urged road users to avoid use of drugs and overspeeding.
The Commissioner of Police (CP), Lagos, Mr. Abiodun Alabi, Represented by Assist. CP Mr. Oludotun Odubona commended the efforts of FRSC for complementing police duties and assisting the Government in reducing crashes in Nigeria.
Alabi said that parking on the road to pick up passengers caused a lot of traffic which also encouraged robbers to take advantage of the situation at the bus stops.
He pleaded with road users to desist from consuming alcohol which he said was an advert for accidents.
The General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), Mr. Bolaji Oreagba urged road users to obey the traffic law of all regulatory agencies to assist Government achieve its aims.
Oreagba, represented by LASTMA Controller, Mr. Jubril Oshodi, said that the 2020-2030 safety declaration action by the United Nations (UN) aimed to achieve crashes to 50 percent compared to the figure of crashes occurs between 2012 and 2020.
He said that the UN had looked forward and expected Nigeria should understand that road safety was Paramount and essential for all everyone.
He urged drivers to ensure they laid safety foundations before moving their vehicles on the road adding that safety begins from point of origin to destination.
The Assist. Commandant, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos, Mr. Igbeke Austine, said that most accidents had something to do with drug abuse.
Austine advised road users to avoid taking alcohol which he said intoxicated the body, makes someone misbehave, and also affects their health.
The Partnership Manager, Leadway Assurance, Mr. Rotimi Olowofela, said the accidents happened suddenly and no driver had power over them.
Olowofela said that a total of 3,345 accidents happened in the first quarter of 2022 in Nigeria adding that 1,834 people were killed as a result of the road accident.
He urged drivers to obey the rules and avoid crashes.
The Chairman More Blessing Park, Sobo, Ikorodu, Alhaji Gbeminiyi Animashaun, pleaded with other parks officials to desist from taking alcohol.
He said that if motor driver leaders take alcohol that other drivers at the parks would engage in illicit drugs which would endanger passengers.
In another development, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says 280 accidents and 78 deaths were recorded in various traffic accidents in Osun from January to September 2022.
The Sector Commander, Mr. Paul Okpe made the disclosure during the flag-off of the ember months campaign on Thursday in Osogbo.
Okpe said 1,894 people were caught up in the traffic accidents involving 429 vehicles, which left 78 dead and 898 injured.
“Most of these accidents occurred on Ibadan-Gbongan expressway, Ife and Iwaraja junction, Ipetu-Ijesa and Owena road.
“We shall continue to work with transport stakeholders, transport unions, traditional institutions and sister security agencies to reduce accidents on Osun roads,” the sector commander said.
According to him, the command has identified some black spots that are prone to accidents and has taken strategic measures to ensure safety of road users.
He urged motorists to comply with road traffic regulations, warning that the command would not spare any traffic offender.
Mr. U Ojeamere, the FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of Osun, Oyo and Ekiti, said the corps was collaborating with sister security agencies and key stakeholders to ensure safer roads.
According to him, all zebra and roadside clinics must be active, while the FRSC will enhance its response time to accidents.
“The toll-free call during an emergency is 122 and within three minutes you will see our men there,” he said.
The zonal commander said regular and special marshals had been deployed to cover all road corridors during the yuletide.
