The Federal Road Safety Corps has disclosed that between January and September 2024, Nigeria witnessed 7,011 road traffic accidents, resulting in 3,767 fatalities and leaving 22,373 individuals injured.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, made this known during the unveiling of the 2024 Road Traffic Crash Victims Remembrance Week, which took place at St. John’s Evangelist Cathedral Church in Bauchi State on Sunday.
The Bauchi State Sector Commander, Istifanus Ibrahim, represented the Corps Marshal and shared the data.
He also disclosed that 22,373 individuals were injured in varying degrees during the same period.
Mohammed emphasised that as Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria faces significant challenges related to road safety, as the large population amplifies the consequences of such crashes.
He then went on to highlight the objectives of the 2024 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Crash Victims, stressing the importance of remembering the deceased and supporting those recovering from injuries in hospitals.
“This day is meant to acknowledge the crucial work of emergency services, highlight the often inadequate legal response to culpable road deaths and injuries, and advocate for appropriate actions,” Shehu noted.
“It also aims to promote better support for victims and their families and encourage evidence-based measures to prevent further road traffic fatalities and injuries.”
The Corps Marshal also outlined the various events planned for the remembrance week, with a visit to a Jumaat Mosque scheduled for Friday, in addition to the church visit.
He emphasized the FRSC’s commitment to utilizing religious platforms to enhance road safety awareness throughout the country.
Shehu urged governments to adopt the Safe System Approach, which is a strategy designed to improve vehicular safety across the nation.
He also made a call for road users to recognize that passengers are often the most vulnerable during accidents, as crashes tend to claim more passenger lives than drivers.
He stressed that road safety is a shared responsibility that requires collective action from everyone.
