The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Borno State says 23 people lost their lives while 90 others sustained injuries in 11 road accidents on the Maiduguri-Benisheikh-Damaturu road between January and November.
The Sector Commander of FRSC in the state, Mr Sanusi Ibrahim, who made this known yesterday while inaugurating the 2020 ember month campaign in Maiduguri, said the road accidents involved 15 vehicles.
Ibrahim said that the incidents occurred on the Maiduguri-Benishiekh axis of the road, which he described as the busiest in the state.
While blaming road crashes on over-speeding and tyre bursts, he said that the ember month campaign was aimed at sensitising stakeholders in the road transportation sector and commuters on the need to be more cautious, vigilant and patient while plying the roads.
He said that the theme for this year’s campaign: “Drive Safe, Stay Alive”, was carefully selected to suit the ever- increasing vehicular population on highways, with attendant impatience on the part of most drivers.
“It is imperative to note that these deaths on our roads are avoidable, if only we can drive with care and obey road traffic rules.
“Most drivers, during this period, take little or no cognisance of their vehicles’ conditions before embarking on their trips.
“In most cases, the vehicle tyres are either worn out, expired, over-inflated or under-inflated, the drivers engage in drunk-driving, non-use of seatbelts or using phones while driving,” Ibrahim said.
He lauded the state government for its efforts at massively expanding roads in the state, particularly in Maiduguri, the state capital, thereby facilitating smooth driving.
“Road safety is a state of mind; road crash is an absence of mind. So stay alert, stay alive. Know that the road is always patient but do not forget that it is only the living that celebrates,” Ibrahim said.
Also speaking, the FRSC Zonal Commander in Bauchi, Mr Rotimi Adeleye, who spoke on the ‘Role of FRSC in Curbing Road Accidents’, said preventing road accidents was a collective responsibility.
Adeleye, who was represented by Corps Commander, Yelwa Dio, urged passengers to always call reckless drivers to order.
In his remarks, Gov. Babagana Zulum, represented by the state Commissioner for Transport, Alhaji Abubakar Tijjani, urged FRSC to assist government in checking drivers loading in unauthorised parks.
Zulum also promised to look into the logistics and accommodation problems facing FRSC in the state to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its personnel.