The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it recorded 97 road crashes in Anambra, which involved 820 persons, claimed 35 lives, and injured 270 persons between January and November.
Mr Adeoye Irelewuyi, Sector Commander, FRSC, in Anambra, gave the statistics at an end-of-year media parley and award ceremony on Saturday in Awka.
Irelewuyi said the statistics showed significant improvement and reduction compared to the records of 2022, attributing it to the propagation of road safety information by the media.
Looking at our activities from January to November 30, we recorded 97 road crashes that involved 820 persons, 25 of the crashes were fatal, claiming the lives of 35 persons and 270 injured.
“There is a significant reduction when compared with the 2022 record, where we recorded 132 road crashes involving 1,048 persons, 42 of which were fatal, claiming the lives of 64 persons and injuring 306 others.
“We also arrested 1,953 offenders for 2,119 offences and impounded 332 vehicles.
“This also shows an improvement on the 2022 figures when we recorded 1,381 offenders arrested for 1,493 offences and impounded 382 vehicles,” he said.
The Sector Commander said the Corps would commence Operation Zero Tolerance to Road Traffic Crash from December 15 to January 15, 2024, to ensure a free flow of traffic during the Yuletide.
Irelewuyi said 1,000 personnel, including regular and special marshals, would be deployed across the state to ensure robust traffic management, enforcement, and control.
He said the operation would be carried out in partnership with sister agencies, the media, the Federal Ministry of Works, the Anambra state Ministry of Transport, and Traffic Management Agency.
We are discussing with the Federal Ministry of Works the possibility of some emergency repairs to critical portions of the expressway along the Onitsha-Owerri road, bridgehead, and other points.
“We received the delivery of a brand new 70-ton tow truck (Juggernaut) from our national headquarters to ensure prompt response and removal of obstructions as well as reduce gridlock.
“These are part of our strategies to ensure safe travel within Anambra during this season. We urge motorists to drive safely to arrive alive and to remember that only the living celebrate,” he said.
