By ISAIAH EKA
UYO- The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Akwa Ibom Command, said it recorded 94 road crashes and 244 casualties between January and Nov. 15, this year.
The Akwa Ibom Sector Commander, Mr Matthew Olonisaye, disclosed this during a sensitization campaign for drivers and motorists at Ikot Oku Ikono Motor Park in Uyo on Wednesday.
Olonisaye, represented by Mr Philip Ebowemen, Deputy Corps Commander and Head of Operations, said the campaign was to commemorate African Road Safety Day and the World Day of Remembrance for Victims of Road Traffic Crash.
Olonisaye said that in 2021, the command recorded 75 road crashes and 140 casualties.
He attributed the increase to speeding and called on drivers to adhere to traffic rules and regulations to avoid crashes.
He said the World Day of Remembrance for Victims of Road Traffic Crashes was set aside by the United Nations on every third week of November to remember millions of lives lost or hurt in road traffic crashes.
Olonisaye said that the activities were expected to create awareness on what constitutes safe practices while using and or sharing the roads with others.
“We are remembering our brothers and sisters that lost their lives through road crashes. We are sensitising you on road safety, so that all of us will drive and stay alive in 2023.
“As you are remembering them, please support their families and drive with care to stay alive. While driving, act carefully, drive carefully, so that there will be space for everyone to share the road.
“As the theme of this year is; “Justice” and the slogan “Remember, Support, Act”, that means we have to remember our brothers and sisters that are dead and support the programme, so that we too will not be victim of road crashes.
“Obey all traffic rules and regulations and don’t go above the speed limit to avoid road crashes.
“Looking at the analysis of accidents between November 2020 and November 2021, the number of crashes was 75, and the dead 140.
“This year from January to Nov. 15, the number of crashes is 94 and the number of deaths 244.
“You will discover that this year is higher than 2021. The increase is attributed to speeding. So, for God’s sake don’t drive above the speed limit, so that you can control your vehicle in case of accident.
“Therefore, I call on all and sundry to join in this sensitization campaign to instil the culture of safety consciousness in all road users,” Olonisaye said.
The sector commander urged road users, especially drivers, to think safety and act safely as the yuletide season draws near.
He urged drivers to ensure that they keep their vehicles in road worthy condition, use good tryes, avoid overloading, night trips, use of alcohol and speeding, 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,” he said.
He said that the corps would join relevant stakeholders to create the necessary awareness in the week-long 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.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Ikot Oku Ikono Motor Park, Mr Alfred Akpan, thanked the FRSC for the sensitisation campaign.
Akpan pledged that the park management would continue to advise drivers on the need to obey traffic rules and regulations to avoid road crashes as the yuletide is approaching. (NAN)
