Nigeria records 32,617 road traffic deaths in 65,053 accidents
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A total 65,053 road traffic accidents occurred in Nigeria in the six years spanning 2016 to 2021 resulting in 32,617 deaths, according data compiled by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Assistant Marshal Ayobami Omiyade made the disclosure at a retreat in Lagos with the theme, “Promotion of strategic partnership for innovating road safety intervention in Lagos and Ogun states: Zone RS2 Lagos View Point.”
He disclosed 200,784 people were injured in the accidents and broke down the statistics on deaths as follows:
- 2016 – 5,053
- 2017 – 5,121
- 2018 – 5,181
- 2019 – 5,483
- 2020 – 5,574
- 2021 – 6,205
Omiyade said the combined road traffic crash statistics for Zone RS2 comprising Lagos and Ogun show that 449 lives were lost in 2020 and 574 in 2021.
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Enforcement of road regulations
The FRSC was established in 1988 to mitigate the high rate of road traffic crashes and injuries/fatalities in the country.
It does this using enforcement of road traffic rules and regulations, traffic control, public enlightenment on the proper use of the highways, and conducting research into causes of road traffic crashes and ways to mitigate them.
It puts into use the result of such researches, among others, according to Omiyale, per Vanguard.
He said the FRSC has strived to fulfil its statutory mandate, but “unfortunately, some agencies such as World Bank do not agree to the acclaimed success of FRSC in the reduction of crashes and fatalities in Nigeria.
“While the FRSC recorded 5,122 fatalities in 2017, the World Health Organisation [WHO] recorded for Nigeria 37,562 road fatalities in the same years.”
He stressed the vision of the FRSC is to eradicate road traffic crashes and create a safe motoring environment.
The corporate goals are to accomplish a 15 per cent reduction in road traffic fatality, enhance road safety partnership for innovative intervention as well as consolidate road traffic data system for improved road safety policy formulation.
Omiyale urged other stakeholders such as the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Air Force, Civil Defence, state traffic management agencies, and council chairmen, to get involved in the implementation of road safety regulations.