The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kaduna Zonal Command, has reported a total of 522 Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) between 2021 and 2023 during the ember months in Kaduna State. ACM Godwin Omiko, the Zonal Commanding Officer of FRSC in Kaduna, shared this information during the zone’s ember months sensitization campaign.
The theme of this year’s campaign is “Speed thrills but kills: Drive responsibly and avoid overloading.” The recorded RTCs in Kaduna State alone in 2021 amounted to 209 cases, with 777 injured and 147 fatalities. In 2022, there were 226 cases, resulting in 828 injuries and 160 deaths. In 2023, there were 87 crashes, involving 291 injuries and 66 fatalities. The main causes of these crashes were speeding, overloading, driver fatigue, driving under the influence, and other substances.
The FRSC aims to educate the public on the dangers of these infractions and the importance of adhering to traffic rules and regulations. The campaign will target various groups, including students, and will be conducted in garages, parks, religious institutions, markets, and community development meetings.
The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balare, emphasized the significance of creating a safer and more responsible driving culture. She urged drivers to prioritize safety by driving responsibly, avoiding overloading, and complying with traffic laws. The ember months campaign included a road walk, medical outreach, and free vehicle safety checks.
