- Cautions travelers against night trips
No fewer than 5,081 people were killed in road traffic crashes in 2023 nationwide as against 6,456 in 2022, representing 21 per cent reduction.
The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Ali-Biu, said this on Monday in Abuja during a media briefing to mark the end of the corps’ Operation Zero Tolerance, conducted nationwide.
Ali-Biu said the adoption of a comprehensive approach by the corps led to the 21 per cent reduction in road traffic crashes.
According to him, from January to December 2023, the Corps ensured upward mobility in the mobilisation of human and material resources to achieve maximum impact.
“On annual performance, from January to December 2023, the Corps recorded a tremendous reduction in road crashes, fatalities, as well as injuries when compared to the data obtained in 2022.
“From January 1 to December 31, 2023, a total of 10,617 RTCs were recorded across the country. This figure is against 13,656 of 2022 which represents a 22% decrease.
“Also, 2023 records reveal that 5,081 people were killed against 6,456 in 2022 representing 21% reduction, while 31,874 victims got injured in 2023, against 38,930 in the year 2022 signifying 18.1% decrease,” he said.
In spite of the decrease, the FRSC boss said that the figure of road traffic crashes and attendant fatalities was unacceptably high.
“These crashes and fatalities in 2023 are not acceptable, because the worrisome situation and the ugly trend must be reversed in 2024 and beyond.
“That is why this year, travelers must avoid excessive speed, overloading as much as possible and steer clear of night trips due to the perennial dangers that come with it.
“These are poor visibility, excessive speed, fatigue and other unhealthy driving behaviours that are associated with driving during the dark hours on Nigerian roads.
“Travelling at night is a risk factor to all road users, and this must be totally avoided to save lives,” the corps marshal said.
On enforcement of traffic offences, Ali-Biu said 1,159 motorists were convicted in 93 special mobile court sessions conducted across the country.
“Out of these sessions, 1,303 traffic offenders were arraigned, 1,159 convicted, and 144 discharged and acquitted.
“The Corps also recorded a big boost in its routine enforcement, having arrested during the 2023 exercise, a total of 29,220 as against 21,899 in the same period in 2022, representing 33% increase.
“These offenders were apprehended for committing 33,892 offences in 2023 against 25,401 in the same period in 2022 which signifies 33% increase as well,” he said.
Meanwhile, the FRSC has said that the corps would sustain all existing strategies that were capable of combating road crashes and engender a safer motoring environment in 2024.
Ali-Biu said that it was necessary to work with the strategies going by the level of the Corps achievements in 2023 outing as well as the impact it had on the corps policy direction.
He said that the Corps would improve staff motivation through enhanced welfare and capacity building for efficiency and professionalism.
He also said that the Corps would sustain existing collaboration with the judiciary in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory for immediate up-scaling of Mobile Court Operations nationwide with more stringent penalties for offenders.
He added that the Corps would enhance its visibility through effective and efficient deployment of operational tools in the category of patrol vehicles, breathalyzers, traffic cones, radar guns, vehicle and body cameras among others.
He also added that the Corps would enhance the performance of the already established task force on overloading of trailers so as to curtail the fatalities that come from their recklessness.
According to him, “we will ensure adequate supervision of staff at various tank farms across the country.
“This is for strict compliance with the template on enforcing compliance with maximum safety standards including the installation of speed limit device, anti-spill (safety valve), on-board monitoring devices among others.
“This is to further bring to a halt all incidences of crashes involving articulated vehicles, with particular emphasis on tankers. We will broaden existing relationships with stakeholders across board to secure their buy-in in driver education.
“We will maintain a proactive watchdog for real time monitoring of the activities of driving schools as well as ensure stronger penalties for erring ones.
“We will also enhance consultation with fleet operators for the establishment of driving schools for training and retraining of drivers, especially drivers of articulated vehicles among others,” he said.
Ali-Biu reaffirmed the Corps deepest appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his unrivaled support towards the realisation of a safe motoring environment in Nigeria.
He commended the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume for his supervisory role, guidance and support.
The FRSC boss also commended the media and further invited her to sustain the partnership in 2024 as the resolve was not to rest on its oars, but to enjoin all operatives to hit the ground running towards achieving its corporate strategic goals for the year.
