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Akwa Ibom records 55 crashes, 24 deaths in 7 months – FRSC

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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Akwa Ibom State Command, has recorded 55 road crashes with 24 fatalities in seven months.

 

The state FRSC Sector Commander, Mr. Matthew Olonisaye, confirmed the development in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Uyo.

 

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

 

He described the percentage increase in the state as unacceptable, describing the trend as worrisome.

 

Olonisaye said that the enforcement of arrest and prosecution of erring reckless motorist was still ongoing in the state.

 

He warned motorists and road users to adhere to road traffic and regulations to ensure safety.

 

The sector commander called on road users in the state to apply caution while using the roads, especially during this rainy season.

 

He noted that “it takes the conscious effort of all and sundry to keep our roads safe.

 

“From January to July 2021, total number of crash, 43; fatality, 16 and January to July 2022, crash, 55 and fatality, 24. There is 27 per cent increase in road crashes and 50 per cent increase in fatalities. Hence, the need for caution.

 

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

 

He said that the command would continue to ensure adequate deployment of human and materials 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 free flow of traffic.

 

He added that the command would continue to embark on public enlightenment to sensitise the general public on the need to have safer roads and to conduct enforcement to deter offenders.

 

He said that the command as part of its safety measures would station stand-by rescue team, strategically for prompt response to any emergency situation.

 

Olonisaye also said that the command would 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 who 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, however, commended law abiding motorists whose cautious driving continued to ensure that the roads were safer for other road users.

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