No fewer than 123 persons have allegedly died in road traffic accidents in different parts of the country in January 2023 alone.
According to our correspondent’s findings, 20 people were killed in Ogun State; 18 in Plateau State; 15 in Kogi State; 15 in Ondo State and 12 in Sokoto State.
Also, 10 were killed in Lagos State; seven in Kano State; seven in Niger State; seven in Bauchi State; four in Kaduna State; four in the Federal Capital Territory; three in Borno State, and one in Bayelsa State.
On January 29, no fewer than 11 people lost their lives in a road accident that occurred in Ore town along the Benin-Sagamu Expressway in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
On January 28, seven persons lost their lives in an accident that occurred at Gwachip village in the Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.
On January 14, 16 people were confirmed dead in an accident involving a truck conveying supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party in Plateau state.
On January 12, a total of 12 people were killed in a road accident involving a van in Sokoto State.
Speaking to our correspondent on Wednesday, the FCT Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Samuel Ochi, described speeding as the major cause of road traffic crashes.
Ochi said, “The issue of speeding is still a trend that we are combating, and we have noticed that a lot of crashes occurred as a result of speeding. It is our major focus as far as enforcement and public enlightenment are concerned.
“Like the Lagos incident that happened a few days ago, the container of a truck fell on the vehicle, and nine people died. These are issues that have to do with the regulations for these categories of vehicles. I think it is an aspect that must be looked at.
“Containers falling on vehicles may not be associated with speeding, but regulations on how these containers should be loaded should be implemented to prevent future occurrences.”