Kazeem Owoseni
No fewer than 24 people have been confirmed dead in road accidents in Gombe state, within a space of three months.
This was revealed by the management of The Federal Road Safety Corps in the state, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, in Lafiyawo, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State on Friday.
According to the FRSC Sector Commander, Mr. Felix Theman, 24 deaths were recorded in 166 road accidents in the State between January and March 2023.
During the chat with NAN, Mr. Theman stated that during the period in review, 354 people sustained different degrees of injuries, while 154 persons escaped unhurt, out of 518 people involved in different crashes across the state.
According to him, the major contributors to the accident in the state are; underage driving, speeding, overloading, wrongful overtaking, using of the phone while driving, and noncompliance with the set traffic rules and regulations by the FRSC.
Expressing concern over the number of underage driving in the state, the Commander, stated that management of the state FRSC has stiffened its enforcement, in curbing the act of underage driving, to reduce the number of crashes in the state, to its barest minimum.
“The corps has stepped up enforcement in that regard to ensure that children don’t engage in any form of driving on roads which could lead to crashes and fatality in some cases,” he said.
Speaking further, Theman revealed that, motorcycles and tricycles were also among the major contributors to the crashes within the period under review, saying that 128 of them were involved in the accidents recorded, during the period.
While condemning the habit of using a cell phone on the wheel, and some other habit that could lead to auto crashes, the sector commander said the action easily confuse a driver at the wheel, noting that 33 offenders were booked for use of phones while driving and 18 underage drivers were cautioned within the period under review.
However, he pleaded with motorists to be mindful of their speed and ensure rigid compliance with traffic rules and regulations, noting that enforcement by the traffic officials, is for the benefit and safety of the motorists.
“Motorists have a responsibility to ensure safety on the road, so drive for you to be alive,” he advised.
NAN
