BY EMMAN OLAREWAJU, ILORIN
The Sector Commander FRSC Kwara State Command Corps Commander Stephen Dawulung has stated that the Command recorded reduction in road traffic crashes within Kwara State from 348 in 2022 to 307 in 2023, representing 11.78 percent (decrease) while fatality figures also dropped from 231 in 2022 to 196 in 2023 representing 15.15 percent (decrease).
The FRSC in a statement released by the Command’s Public Enlightenment Officer Olayinka Basambo, Dawulung alluded the achievement to the resilience and commitment of officers and men of the Command in the pursuit of Goal 1 of the 2023 FRSC Corporate Strategic Goals which stipulated 5 percent reduction in Road Traffic Deaths.
According to Basambo, the Sector Commander also stated that in December 2023 road traffic crash figures reduced to 26 when compared with 41 recorded in December 2022, representing 36.58 percent (decrease), while fatality also reduced from 14 in December 2022 to 11 in December 2023 representing 21.43 percent (decrease).
The Sector Commander further stated that the end of year Special Patrol Operations tagged ” Operations Zero Tolerance” which commenced from December 15, 2023 and would last till January 15, 2024 was key to the reduction of road traffic crashes and deaths within Kwara State especially within the Yuletide and New Year period which heralded the increase in deployment of personnel and equipment as well as the establishment of Help Areas for prompt response to Road Traffic Crashes amongst others by the Command to contain the spike in vehicular traffic.
According to the Sector Commander, the Command has also developed a plan for the execution of its mandate in Kwara State during 2024, to include the deepening of its enforcement against road traffic crash/fatality high risk factors such as Speed, non-use of seatbelt and child restraint, non-use of crash helmets, use of phone while driving and drunk driving amongst others.
“Sensitisation of the motoring public will also be heightened as a key instrument in the reorientation of road users towards safer road Traffic practices.
We will also leverage on the subsisting collaboration with our stakeholders including the media in promoting road safety practices,” he said.
While reiterating the readiness and commitment of the officers and men of Kwara State Sector Command towards ensuring a safe motoring environment in Kwara State in 2024, the Sector Commander advised road users and drivers in particular to always adhere to road traffic regulations as measure to avoid road traffic crashes.
