“We have reduced 2013 Christmas road crash figures,” says FRSC

December 25, 2013

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said it has achieved a reduction in road crashes and fatalities in the last 5 days of the 2013 Yuletide special patrol, tagged “Operation Zero Tolerance” which was flagged off on December 19, 2013.

The patrol, which is in line with the Corps’ 2013 strategic goals of reducing road crashes by 20% and fatalities by 30%, is expected to end on January 12, 2014.........

Speaking at Obosi near Onitsha during the nationwide exercise, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Osita Chidoka, disclosed that the Corps’ renewed efforts have, so far, yielded positive results as the road crash figures for this year witnessed a slight reduction when compared to 2012′s special patrol fall-out, within the same period of December 19 to 23.

In a statement made available by the Corps’ Public Education Officer, Jonas Agwu, the Corps Marshal said “a study of traffic flow along various routes of the highways indicate seamless traffic flow, which can be largely attributed to the massive deployment of 4 heavy duty tow trucks, 37 patrol trucks, 12 ambulances and 102 patrol motor bikes recently provided by the World bank to enhance our patrol and rescue services during this period.”

Represented by the Assistant Corps Marshal, Special Marshal and Partnership, Victor Nwokolo, Chidoka disclosed that at least 4, 051 traffic offenders were arrested while 404 have so far been convicted across the country during the exercise.

Chidoka, who pointed out that speed limit violation remained the highest causative factor for the traffic offence and road crashes, said that out of 569 offenders arraigned before the mobile courts, 85 were discharged.

FRSC boss, Osita Chidoka

“The last 5 days (19-23 December 2013) has witnessed a reduction in road crashes when compared to 2012 Operation Zero exercise during the same period, as the FRSC has recorded 107 deaths and 1,398 injured persons in 214 road crashes with 668 victims rescued alive without injuries while 2012 records indicate 156 deaths and 1,882 injured persons in 236 road crashes with 1,056 persons rescued alive without injuries,” he said.

Continuing, Chidoka added that the Corps’ renewed approach to road safety management during the yuletide, was in line with “a Presidential directive for the FRSC as lead agency on road safety management, to ensure that commuters do not suffer unduly during this year’s yuletide season.”

He further commended other relevant agencies such as the Police, Air Force, Army, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps for complementing the FRSC’s efforts during the nationwide exercise.

Culled from-The Nigeria Telegraph