By Mark Lenu
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has released tips that would help prevent road accidents, especially in this busy traveling month of December.
The former spokesman of the Rivers State Command of the Corps, John Michael said if motorists adhere strictly to road precautions, the rate of accidents and casualties will be reduced drastically.
He stated the tips as saying that: “Those who are travelling should ensure that they travel in day time and avoid night travel at all cost. Avoid over loading of vehicles both in humans and goods.
“Avoid driving at excessive speed. Of course, you know that speed is the cause of most crashes on our road. Avoid unsafe tyres to arrive alive. Arriving alive means adhering to all road safety protocols.
“And also avoid alcohol when driving and try as much as you can to celebrate in moderation because there will still be life after Christmas. Drive vehicles that are in good condition, When a vehicle breaks down on the road, hoodlums might take advantage of it to rob, kidnap, or harm stranded vehicle occupants”
Reports on fatalities as a result of road accidents in the last four years have been very alarming as no fewer than 21,509 people have lost their lives in road accidents across the country, according to data from the Federal Road Safety Commission and the National Bureau of Statistics.
The NBS reported 6,205 deaths from road accidents in 2021, while the FRSC recorded 6,456 fatalities in 2022. For the year 2024, 3,767 deaths were reported in the first nine months, alongside 5,081 lives lost in the previous year.
There are indications that the travelling population this year will be lesser than previous years mainly due to the soaring hike of transportation fare.