THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra state said it reported 97 road crashes between January and November this year, resulting in 35 deaths and 270 injuries.
The state sector commander of the FRSC, Adeoye Irelewuyi, released the statistics on Saturday, December 9, stating that the accidents involved 820 persons.
According to Irelewuyi, the statistics showed significant improvement and reduction compared to the 2022 records.
“Looking at our activities from January to November 30, we recorded 97 road crashes which involved 820 persons. Twenty-five of the crashes were fatal, claiming the lives of 35 persons and 270 persons injured.
“There is a significant reduction when compared with the 2022 record where we recorded 132 road crashes involving 1,048 persons, 42 of which were fatal, claiming the lives of 64 persons and injuring 306 others.”
The corps also arrested 1,953 offenders in 2,119 offences and impounded 332 vehicles.
The sector commander also noted an improvement in the 2023 figures compared to 2022.
It logged 1,381 offenders arrested for 1,493 offences and impounded 382 vehicles in 2022.
Irelewuyi also noted that the corps would commence Operation Zero Tolerance to Road Traffic Crash from 15 December to 15 January 2024 to ensure a free traffic flow during the yuletide.
According to him, 1,000 personnel, including regular and special marshals, would be deployed across the state to ensure robust traffic management, enforcement and control.
He said the operation would be carried out in partnership with sister agencies, the media, the Federal Ministry of Works, the Anambra State Ministry of Transport and the Traffic Management Agency.
“We are discussing with the Federal Ministry of Works on the possibility of some emergency repairs of critical portions of the expressway along the Onitsha-Owerri road, Bridgehead and other points.
“We received the delivery of a brand new 70-ton Tow truck (juggernaut) from our national headquarters to ensure prompt response and removal of obstructions and reduce gridlock.
“These are part of our strategies to ensure safe travels within Anambra during this season. We urge motorists to drive safely to arrive alive and to remember that only the living celebrate,” he said.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: [email protected]. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M