No fewer than 96 people have been killed in road accidents within the last two months in Kwara State.
The State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Jonathan Owoade, gave the figure in Ilorin on Monday on the sideline of an event commemorating road traffic crash victims’ day.
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He said that 72 road crashes were recorded in the last two months of September and October with the loss of 96 lives on major roads in the state.
The FRSC boss identified impatience, wrongful overtaking, night driving, use of phones while driving and overspeeding as causes of major accidents on Kwara roads.
Jonathan, who said Nigerians obey traffic rules and regulations outside the country, lamented however those same people disobey traffic laws that discourage carnage and encourage road safety on Nigerian roads.
“The enforcement of right attitude is made difficult by some offenders who say I have a super brother.
“When you arrest some offenders, you will then be receiving calls from high places and prominent personalities seeking assistance. That’s not encouraging.
“If people are made to face the wrath of the law, the incidents would be reduced,” he added.
To commemorate the day, the Sector Commander said, “We encourage people to reduce speed to 30 kilometres per hour in built-up areas and towns to avoid knockdown and ensure proper traffic management.
“We have had occasions where people knock down schoolchildren and cyclists. It’s easier and safer to manoeuvre vehicles to a stop when on low speed”.
He said drivers who are always in a hurry most times land in hospital which may end in death.
He advised commercial vehicle drivers to ensure lane discipline when driving because the habit usually caused road accidents.
