Mohammed Shosanya
The Federal Road Safety Corps’ FRSC, said it has successfully recorded 25% reduction in the total number of road traffic crashes (RTC),during the last Sallah holiday in Nigeria.
The development also witnessed 53% decrease in the number of people killed, and 43% reduction in number of people injured in crashes that involved 522 people on Nigerian roads during the 2023 Eid-El Kabir special patrol operations held between June 26 and July 1,2023.
In a press statement signed by ACM Bisi Kazeem, Corps Public Education Officer, stated that the reduction was in line with its rejigged operational tactics towards creating a safer motoring environment in Nigeria.
It said that the Eid-El-Kabir special patrol operation that lasted for six days recorded a total of 88 RTCs as against 118 of the same period in 2022 representing 25% reduction. In the same vein, a total of 38 people were killed, against 88 in the previous year representing 53% decrease, while 211 people got injured in 2023 against 373 in 2022 representing 43% decrease.
The release added that the Corps also rescued a total of 273 victims without injuries in 2023 against 347 in the same period in the year 2022.
Also, a total of 4116 offenders were apprehended over 4682 offences committed across 2053 routes covered by the Corps.
According to the statement,the huge record of reduction in road traffic crashes during the 2023 celebration period came as a result of improved and rejigged patrol operations, robust public enlightenment campaign, injection of more operational vehicles for enhanced visibility, prompt rescue services, enhanced stakeholder collaboration, wider coverage of the national road network due to the establishment of more FRSC Commands, outposts, road side clinics and Zebra points among others.
The statement quoted that the positive change in the reduction of offences, offenders and impoundments is attributable to increase in public enlightenment, enforcement,traffic control, cooperation from stakeholders, and the fully automated process of obtaining drivers licence which ensures that motorists must be trained in driving schools before they are qualified to apply for their licences.
Reacting,the Corps Marshal of FRSC, expressed delight over the success,and pledged that the Corps will sustain the tempo and enhance its effort towards entrenching safety on all roads.
He urged the motoring public to be disciplined and practice safe road culture by giving maximum cooperation to FRSC personnel and other traffic law enforcers on the highways.
