The Federal Road Safety Corps in Oyo State has declared that 146 persons died in various road accident in the state between January and June.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, State Sector Commander of the corps, Joshua Adekanye made this known on Friday in Ibadan.
He also said 618 persons sustained various degrees of injuries in 246 road crashes recorded within the period.
While giving a breakdown of the figure, he said 15 persons lost their lives in January; 15 in February; 23 in March; 24 in April; 45 in May and 24 in June.
Adekanye disclosed that investigation revealed some of the crashes were due to speeding, driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, and mechanical fault, among others.
The sector commander admonished drivers against reckless driving, stating that the command had stepped up its enforcement and public enlightenment across motor parks, churches and mosques.
“To reduce road traffic crashes, the corps, aside enforcement, has strengthened its public enlightenment in the parks, Mosques and Churches.
“We also seize every available opportunity to talk to the general public on the factors that can lead to road crashes and how to avoid same.
“We also make use of radio, print and social media to pass the message across to the general public. We also partner with traditional leaders to talk to people in their domain on how to avoid factors that can lead to road traffic crashes.
“In addition to that, we have also redoubled our enforcement and mobile court for arraignment and prosecution of traffic offenders without delay, ” he said.
Adekanye added that the corps was aware of absence of road signs, adding that the situation had been traced to activities of scavengers.
He pointed out that this could put the lives of both drivers and other road users at risk.
“They (scavengers) are the ones stealing the sign post and plates on the road and we are talking to the federal and state ministries of works to see how the road signs can be replaced, ” he said.
