… January Records Highest Number Of Crashes With 123 Injuries

… 1,349 Killed in Road Accidents Nationwide, FRSC  Reports

… TRACE Warns Ahead ‘Ember’ Months

Over the last six months, January to June,2023, Ogun State has experienced a concerning surge in road accidents, resulting in a devastating toll on human lives and causing grave injuries. FAWAZ ADEBISI writes.

The statistics are grim, revealing a harrowing tally of 267 crashes, 429 injuries, and 88 fatalities, making it a time of mourning for many families and a time for urgent reflection and action for the authorities.

Both motorcycles and motor vehicles have had cases of accidents due to road conditions, driver behaviour, lack of vehicle maintenance, and enforcement of traffic rules within these months under review.

Throughout January, according to the report obtained by PLATFORM TIMES Newspaper, 51 accidents involving motor vehicles alone, as five accidents involving motorbikes, which took the life of one female were reported.

The numbers seemed alarming, but, little did the residents know that this was only the beginning of a series of tragedies that would continue to unfold in the months to come.

February saw a slight dip in road accidents involving motor vehicles, with 29 cases reported.

Nonetheless, the impact was still significant, as five males and three  females lost their lives.

The accidents involving motorbikes in this month remained consistent with the previous month, with five cases reported.

The month of March brought no respite from the string of misfortunes, as 46 accidents involving motor vehicles, which claimed the lives of six males and four females, were tragically reported.

Also, in the same month, motorcycles were involved in 2 accidents, however, fortunately, no death was reported.

In April, the statistics took a sharp turn for the worse. With 57 motor vehicle accidents, eight  males and five  females lost their lives.

The number of accidents involving motorbikes also increased to four, with nine males and one female losing their lives.

The month of May also witnessed a repetition of 57 motor vehicle accidents, which tragically resulted in the death of six males and two females.

Meanwhile, 11 motorcycle accidents also claimed the lives of eight males and three females.

June, the final month of the half-year period, offered a slight respite with 46 motor vehicle accidents. However, no death case was recorded.

… Over 300 Males, 122 Females Injured In Six Months 

According to the data collected from the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, between January and  June 2023, a total of 429 individuals were injured in road accidents in the state.

Motor vehicle accidents accounted for a total of 240 cases, leaving 272 males and 118 females injured, with 41 males and 22 females losing their lives.

Motorcycle accidents contributed to 27 cases, injuring 35 males and four females and causing the loss of 20 males and five females.

The combined toll of 267 accidents involving both motor vehicles and motorcycles resulted in injuries to 307 males and 122 females, and 61 males and 27 females respectively, tragically lost their lives.

In January, 115 individuals were injured, with 75 males and 40 females affected. However, February saw a decrease in injuries, with 33 males and six females getting hurt. March recorded 33 male injuries and eight female injuries.

The number of injuries further rose significantly in April, reaching 103 in total, with 76 males and 27 females affected.

May followed a similar pattern, with 86 individuals injured, including 69 males and 17 females. In June, 57 individuals were injured, comprising 37 males and 20 females.

… January Records Highest Number Of Crashes With 123 Injuries

From the data obtained from the TRACE,  for the first six months of 2023, the month of January emerged with the highest number of crashes, resulting in a total of 123 reported injuries.

Throughout the month of January, Ogun witnessed a total of 56 road traffic crashes, with 51 cases involving motor vehicles and five cases involving motorcycles.

Among these incidents, a total of 123 individuals were reportedly injured, with 115 injuries occurring in motor vehicle crashes and eight injuries in motorcycle crashes.

Additionally, January experienced a tragic toll of lives lost. The road traffic accidents in this month claimed a total of 27 lives, with 16 fatalities from motor vehicle crashes and 11 fatalities from motorcycle crashes.

Comparing the figures for the other months in the first half of 2023, January stands out as a critical period in terms of road safety challenges.

While the number of crashes in February, March, April, May, and June remained relatively lower, the severity of injuries and fatalities in January is a cause for concern.

Also, it was gathered that the month of April stands out with the highest number of fatalities.

A total of 23 lives were lost during this tragic month, the data revealed that road traffic crashes involving both Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles contributed to the alarming death toll.

In April, Motor Vehicle crashes claimed the lives of 13 individuals, while Motorcycle crashes accounted for 10 fatalities.

… 1,349 Killed in Road Accidents Nationwide, FRSC Reports

The Federal Road Safety Corps had reported that a whooping  1,349 lives were tragically lost in road accidents across the nation from January one to April 12, 2023.

PLATFORM TIMES reports that during this period, the country witnessed a total of 2,463 road crashes, involving 3,965 vehicles and affecting 16,102 individuals.

The report further showed that out of these incidents, 1,349 people lost their lives, while a further 7,744 individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries.

The FRSC, therefore, highlighted major road accidents that occurred in 2023, which resulted in a devastating loss of lives and injuries.

In January, an unfortunate motor accident in the Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto claimed the lives of 18 people and injured 40 more when a truck carrying passengers collided with a herd of cattle.

Also, on January 28, in Ondo State, 11 individuals lost their lives in a fiery crash involving a commercial passenger bus and a truck on the Soka Bridge along the Benin-Ore expressway in the Odigbo Local Government Area. The accident was attributed to “one-way driving” as the truck collided head-on with the bus.

In March, two separate accidents occurred in Kebbi State, one in the Liba neighborhood near Gonan Rogo and the other in the Bunza region, resulting in a tragic loss of 35 lives. Additionally, in Gombe State between January and March 2023, 24 people lost their lives, and 354 others were injured in road crashes.

In Enugu State on April 8, a horrific accident along the Port Harcourt-Enugu highway claimed the lives of at least 15 individuals when a Toyota 18-seater bus collided with a Mercedes truck, resulting in the victims being burnt beyond recognition.

Moreover, on April 13, seven passengers were tragically burnt to death on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway when a commercial bus caught fire. Among the 27 passengers, seven were unidentifiable due to the severity of the burns.

TRACE Warns Ahead ‘Ember’ Months

As the rainy season sets in, the Commander of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency at Oke-Odan, Idi Iroko axis, Egbeolowo Mustapha, called upon drivers in the state to prioritize safety by utilizing windshield wipers for clear visibility during driving.

In a radio programme, Commander Mustapha had emphasized the need for drivers to prepare ahead of the upcoming ’ember’ months (September, October, November, and December). Historically, these months have witnessed unfortunate incidents, including motor crashes and accidents.

During the programme, Commander Mustapha provided vital safety tips to help prevent accidents during this period.

He urged drivers to promptly fix any faulty windshield wipers, as the rainy season can pose challenges with water-filled potholes and obscured road conditions.

Addressing the issue of vehicle maintenance, Commander Mustapha stressed the importance of regular checks before embarking on journeys.

He added that drivers should verify that their vehicles are in optimal condition to avoid breakdowns or brake failures that could lead to hazardous situations on the roads.

Additionally, he advised drivers to assess their own physical fitness and health before driving. Ensuring alertness and avoiding drowsiness during journeys are essential for preventing accidents.

Furthermore, Commander Mustapha emphasized the critical role of responsible drinking behaviour.

He firmly stated that only water should be consumed before driving, and alcohol consumption should be strictly avoided.

He said, “drivers should check their motors well before taking it out, they should know if it’s in its proper condition to avoid unnecessary breakdown or brake fail.

“They should also check themselves to see if they’re physically fit and healthy, so that they don’t fall asleep while driving to avoid accidents.”

Also, he added that drivers should be cautious of what they drink before driving, as he stressed that only water is allowed for them to drink before driving.

“Drink only water before driving, not alcohol, if it’s necessary for you to drink.”

Commander Mustapha further highlighted the repercussions of disregarding road safety measures, emphasizing that accidents not only affect the driver but also impact families, victims, and other road users.

He passionately appealed to drivers to drive responsibly, keeping in mind the well-being of their loved ones and fellow citizens on the road.

“By adhering to these safety instructions, you can spare your loved ones the anguish of an accident. Your responsible actions can save lives and prevent harm to others,” he emphasized.