4,387 Die In Road Crashes In 6 Months – Police

Nigeria Police Force has said 4,387 persons died in road crashes in the first six months of 2023.

This was stated by the representative of the FCT commissioner of police, ACP Habib Rabiu in Abuja yesterday during the Non-governmental Organisations and Civil Society Organisation dialogue on the challenges of pre-crash, crash and post-crash issues in Nigeria, and the way forward.

He remarked that in the past year alone, Nigeria witnessed a significant rise in road accidents resulting from reckless driving, speeding, and non-compliance with traffic regulations, leaving many injured and, in some cases, dead.

“According to the Federal Road Safety Commission, 4,387 Persons died in road accidents in first half of 2023, bringing to a 26 per cent increase from 2022, and 14,108 injuries were also recorded, while 15,789 persons were rescued unhurt during the period (Source: the Cable.ng).  However, some of these accidents could have simply been avoided,” he said.

Also, the convener of the event and the chief executive of Road Safety Stakeholders and Humanitarian Forum of Nigeria, Dr. Yusuf John Suberu said the outcome of this meeting would lead to the adoption of sector-based strategies to address the hydra-headed challenges of road traffic crashes, injuries and deaths in Nigeria and the development of a Communique that would be used as a road-map to accomplish the set-out goals of the Decade of Action for the year 2024.

He lamented the high number of vehicles on the roads that are not certified as roadworthy, thereby endangering lives and properties.

“Furthermore, it is pertinent to note that there is also a high level of compromise in apprehending traffic offenders which has led to dangerous excesses by the drivers,” he said.

Meanwhile, the FRSC has identified over-speeding, fatigue and night travel as major causes of road traffic crashes.