The recent spate of fatal road crashes during the festive season is alarming and requires urgent action from relevant authorities.
Just last week, the police in Imo confirmed the death of eight members of a family in an auto crash at the Amanwozuzu junction, Ikeduru Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo.
Days before that, nine passengers lost their lives in Osun state when their truck veered off the road. And in Kaduna state, four people died and 56 were injured in another crash.
Those reported auto crashes are some of the isolated cases during the festive celebrations this December 2023.
According to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) report, around 24 Nigerians die daily from road accidents.
And the situation worsens during celebrations like Christmas and New Year when many embark on road travels.
A report by the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, in August 2023, stated that Nigeria lost 24 lives daily between January and June this year.
The cumulative number of lives lost within the first six months of the year, according to the FRSC, is 4,387, a figure that translates to an average of 731 fatalities each month or about 24 lives lost daily.
Prior to the August report, the Commission had, in April, disclosed that 1,349 people were killed in road accidents between January 1 and April 12 this year.
According to the April report, 2,463 crashes occurred during the period. The FRSC further said the crashes involved 3,965 vehicles conveying 16,102 people, and out of that number, 1,349 people were killed, while 7,744 got injured.
The FRSC Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, who noted that the road crashes happened within the 36 states of Nigeria plus the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, said: “From January to June, a total of 4,387 people were killed as a result of road traffic crashes. The Corps also recorded 14,108 injuries from the crashes within the same period.”
Regrettably, everyday, people lose their lives on the road as a result of accidents. Life has become so cheap in Nigeria that it is wasted with reckless abandon on the roads and nobody is being held responsible for that.
But road accidents are worse during the Yuletide, in view of the rush and pressure occasioned by the season, so much so that it has become commonplace.
In spite of the security situation in the country, Nigerians still embark on road travels because of economic considerations as the skyrocketing air fare has pushed air travel out of the reach of the average Nigerian.
But the fear of road travels is not misplaced as high casualties and fatalities are daily being recorded as a result of auto crashes which is worse during festivities.
As a newspaper, we are cognizant of the major factors fueling road accidents on our highways, which could either be road conditions, vehicle conditions or human factors.
Much as other factors also contribute to accidents on our roads, experts are of the opinion that the condition of roads is a major contributory factor, at least in Nigeria.
From east to west, north to south, the story is the same; the roads are generally bad. The roads across the country are so bad to a point that sometimes, potholes as deep as three feet dot our major highways.
Vehicle roadworthiness is another issue requiring attention. With proper regulation and enforcement, unroadworthy vehicles can be drastically reduced on our roads.
Regular vehicle inspections and tougher licensing procedures are vital safeguards. Traffic officers need training on spotting faulty vehicles and enforcement powers to get them off the roads.
Furthermore, the human factor cannot be ignored in preventing road crashes. Drivers must take responsibility through adherence to safety rules, avoidance of impaired driving, and being considerate of other road users.
FRSC and the police should also enforce penalties for traffic violations like dangerous overtaking and speeding.
Consequently, this newspaper urges all stakeholders not to treat road crashes as normal occurrences.
The trauma, grief and socioeconomic impacts are profound. Concerted efforts led by the government can stem the needless injuries and deaths. It is time to act decisively. Nigerians deserve to travel safely during festivities and always.
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