275 people killed, 1,561 injured in accidents in the North-East -FRSC

From; Ruth Yarnap , Bauchi

Not less than 275 people were killed in various road crashes that occurred in three states in the North-East zone from April to September, 2019.

The Zonal Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Assistant Corps Marshall, Imoh Etuk

revealed this at the Zonal Mega Rally/Medical Outreach in preparation for 2019 Operation zero at the Yankari Motor Park in Bauchi, saying that the three states  are Borno, Yobe and Bauchi  and that  1,561 people sustained varying degrees of injuries.

He said that the theme for the rally is: Road Safety is a state of the mind, road traffic crash is absence of the mind: Stay alert and stay alive, adding that 2,495 were involved in the 320 road crashes that occurred within the same period in the zone representing a 42.4% increase in road traffic crashes and a 6.77% increase in fatality.

According to him,  April and June 2019, there were 132 road traffic crashes which killed 133 people and injured 726 people.

He explained that from July to September, no fewer than 142 people were killed while 836 sustained varying degrees of injuries in the 188 accidents that occurred in the zone.

Etuk said, “the Corp’s mandate for 2018 is to reduce RTC (Road Traffic Crashes) by 20% and fatality by 25%, therefore, all hands must be on deck, since safety is everybody’s business”.

He added,however, that the ember months are associated with a beehive of festivities such as Christmas and New Year celebrations. At the same time, it is also a period of harvest for farmers, bringing their farm produce home which result in high vehicular movement on the highways.

“This is why we are here today to sensitize you on the proper use of the highways to make it safe by observing all traffic rules and regulations. I am calling on all drivers to stay off drugs or any stimulants, say no to over speeding and overloading. Speed thrills, but remember it is only the living that celebrate,” he said.

The FRSC boss said that in the rally, there will be free testing of drivers’ blood pressure and eyesight.

He then appealed  to  drivers to regularly maintain their vehicles before embarking on any journey and warned them to avoid dangerous driving.