…Attributes Milestone To Awareness Campaigns, Economic Meltdown
By Yunusa Isa, Gombe
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Gombe State Command has recorded reduction in road crashes, death and injuries in 2024 compared to the previous year 2023.
Speaking to newsmen during a press briefing on the successes recorded by the corps, at its headquarters in Lafiyawo, the State’s Sector Commander Samson Ƙaura, said FRSC has witnessed significant milestones last year compared to 2023 records and statistics.
While reeling out the statistics on quarterly basis, Ƙaura said “In the year 2023, we recorded 351 total road crashes, and 328 in 2024 implying a reduction of 26%, 119 total number of people killed in 2023, and 108 in 2024, signifying a reduction of 9.2%”.
He said in 2023, a total of 515 vehicles were involved in road crashes in the state, while 471 in 2024 implying a reduction of 28%.
The commander noted that in 2023, the corps has recorded a total of 2,588 number of people involved in road crashes, out of which 1,308 were injured, while a total of 2,196 people were involved into road crashes in 2024, out of which 1,078 were injured signifying a reduction of 21 and 27 per cent respectively.
Corps Commander Samson Ƙaura attributed the reductions to increased awareness campaigns embarked upon by the corps with relevant stakeholders to enlightened the public especially road users on the dangers of reckless driving and the importance of observing traffic rules and regulations.
He added that harsh economic conditions especially hike in petrol prices, forced many private vehicle owners to switch to commercial vehicles, a development he said led to reduced number of vehicles on roads and reduced crashes.
Ƙaura said the crashes may not be unconnected to road users’ reckless behavior of overload and over speeding, appealing to drivers and the public to always ensure their vehicles are in good condition before putting them on roads.
He encouraged passengers to speak up against reckless driving, maintaining that “crashes kill more passengers than drivers”.
The commander appreciated the state government’s supports to FRSC, especially barricading the sloppy southern bypass road which hitherto recorded increased truck accidents.
He said the measure has significantly reduced the rate of crashes on the bypass axis, thereby ensuring safety of lives and property in the state.
Samson Ƙaura reiterated the FRSC’s commitments in ensuring road users keep up to traffic rules and safety driving.