No fewer than 261 persons died, while 1,700 others sustained injuries in road traffic crashes from January to November in Oyo.

The sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Oyo, Joshua Adekanye, announced this to journalists on Wednesday in Ibadan.

Mr Adekanye said the command recorded 609 crashes within the period and attributed the major cause of the crashes to speeding, wrong overtaking and tyre burst.

The sector commander said the command had identified four primary reasons some motorists engaged in speeding, including good roads, especially on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

He said most vehicles plying the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway engaged in speeding due to the smooth road on that axis.

“Other reasons include insecurity, impatience and desire to make more money, especially the commercial drivers,” he said.

Mr Adekanye said the command had put several measures in place to guide against or reduce, to the barest minimum, road traffic crashes before, during and beyond the yuletide.

The sector commander said the command would continue to enlighten the public and motorists through visits to motor parks and other public places to educate people on the dangers of speeding.

Mr Adekanye said the command started planning for high traffic that usually characterised the yuletide celebration by flagging off its ember months campaign in October.

He said the command would engage in a joint patrol with other sister security agencies to address the high traffic flow.

Mr Adekanye said no fewer than 880 regular marshals and 890 special marshals would be deployed to ensure the free traffic flow during the Yuletide celebration.

“We have also injected 35 patrol vehicles, two motorcycles, two towing trucks as well as entered into a partnership with towing trucks association for the prompt removal of obstruction during this period,” he said.

The sector commander advised motorists to ensure their vehicles were in good condition and shun night travelling to avoid crashes and other unforeseen circumstances.

(NAN)