The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says 324 people were killed and 1,706 wounded in road crashes in Kogi in 2022.

Stephen Dawulung, FRSC sector commander in Kogi, stated this in an interview in Lokoja on Thursday. He disclosed that from January to December 2022, the FRSC recorded 458 road crashes in the state.

“Out of the total cases of 458 auto crashes, 5, 161 people were involved leaving 324 persons dead and 1, 706 injured. To us as a corps, the casualty and the rate of crashes within that year is very high and unacceptable, but that’s the reality facing us today,” stated Mr Dawulung.

The FRSC official added, “We aren’t happy with the outcome of the report looking at the enormity of sensitisation and enlightenment campaigns we carried out during the period under review. Of course, we have to blame this on the recklessness of the motorists, some of who continually refused to heed traffic rules and regulations for safety.”

The sector commander called on motorists to ensure their vehicles’ roadworthiness before embarking on a journey and driving with care along the highways.

He said, “This year, 2023, my command will continue carrying out enforcements and enlightenment programmes against speed, overloading and mixed loading of goods and passengers, especially in trucks and other vehicles meant to convey only goods.”

(NAN)