By Tola Gbadamosi
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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ondo State Sector (RS 11.2) Command says it has recorded 151 road traffic crashes (RTC) from July to September, 2020.
The Sector Commander, Mr Ahmed Hassan, told The Hope Metro on Monday in Akure that 87 people were killed in 64 crashes during the period.
Hassan said that 151 people were involved in the road crashes in the month of July till date.
“In the last three months, we have had crashes that depict an increase in some of the indices that we usually measure.
“In the first month in July we recorded 7 fatalities crashes were we recorded 10 death which later increased.
“We had 151 crashes out of which 51 fatalities that lead to death were recorded, 30 were serious and 70 were minor.
“In the second and third month, crashes increased, while the fatalities also increased from due to rain that started in this area of the country.
The FRSC boss decried the increasing fatalities, saying, “we have a problem with the number of crashes and fatalities, and we realise that most crashes are not indigenes. We noticed that they are mostly travelers from the North who are not acquainted with the roads.
“They are used to plain and straight lands, while these roads here in Ondo State are hilly with curves, coupled with the rain. It takes experienced drivers to avoid such situations.
“We are alarmed by the number of people killed.
He said although the corps had set a target of reducing RTC 2020 by 20 per cent and fatalities by 25 per cent, it had to do more work considering the trend of RTC in the command.
Hassan who frowned at the negative attitudes of most road users, warmed that the FRSC would intensify enforcement and public enlightenment on safety as the Umber months comes our theme is Drive safe, Stay safe.
He said that the Ondo State Command had not flagged off the awareness campaign yet as they await the Governorship election to be over, adding that the use of facemasks will be totally be enforced due to Covid-19 rules in various unit commands of the state.
According to him, road users and need to be educated more on how best to use the road.
He said that human factors had been responsible for more than 80 per cent of crashes on the roads.
“We want to change the attitudes and disposition of motorists to the use of the road. Drivers and passengers have roles to play.
“I acknowledge the fact that the state of the road is an issue. But it is not as important as the human element and mechanical factors,” he added.
Hassan, who emphasised the dangers of covering number plates and its risks, said though the police came up with the issue of covering number plates.
” This is what we have been working on for over 10 years. Any kidnapper can use a covered number to perform an act as it will not help us to get the person.
“We can only Identify the color and model of the vehicle. That will not be good enough to get someone when being traced.
Hassan, therefore, urged motorists to always be patient while on the road, as most of the crashes are avoidable.
He noted that the job of road safety should not be left to those wearing uniform alone, but that all should be involved.