Clement Oladele, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Ogun State, said on Thursday that 223 people died in 325 road traffic crashes recorded in the state between January and October.
Oladele disclosed this at a news conference organised to commemorate the 2016 United Nations Road Traffic Crash Victims Remembrance Day in Abeokuta.
The theme for the 2016 celebration is: “Vital Post Crash Actions: Medical Care, Investigation and Justice.”
The sector commander said also that over 1,143 persons were injured during the period.
Oladele said that most of the accidents were due to excessive speed, which could have been avoided.
Oladele said: “The corps, as part of its strategic goals, is poised to reduce road crashes by 15 per cent and fatalities by 25 per cent.
“The command will continue in its effort to prevent road crashes and achieve a significant reduction by the end of the year.
“We enjoin motorists to shun over speeding, be more careful, check their tyres and avoid violating traffic laws.”
According to Oladele, the FRSC has enhanced its rescue capabilities by injecting additional ambulances into its fleet of vehicles.
The sector commander said that the rate of crashes witnessed in the country necessitated the introduction of speed limiters by the corps.
He said: “The prominence of speed among the causes of crashes on Nigerian roads prompted the corps to introduce speed limiters to commercial vehicle operators.
“As from February 1, 2017, the corps shall begin the full enforcement of speed limiting device on commercial vehicle operators, wherein violators shall be arrested and prosecuted.
“From October 1 till date, a total of 4, 976 commercial vehicles have been stopped and checked in Ogun to see if they have speed limiter or not.”
The sector commander said there would be visitation of road crash victims at Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta and a candlelight procession on Saturday, as part of activities marking the celebration.
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