The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Friday said 339 people died in various road accidents across Ogun State from January till date.

Ahmed Umar, the state sector commander, disclosed this during a special intervention sensitisation campaign on gridlock on Saturday.

Mr Umar stated that 935 road traffic crashes were recorded across the state, with FRSC rescuing 2,359 people with various injuries to nearby hospitals.

The FRSC boss cautioned motorists against speeding and dangerous driving, saying that many accidents were avoidable.

The sector commander expressed worries about the post-construction speed management on Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.

He explained there had been an increased collaboration among FRSC, the police, the army, and NSCDC to curb route violations, lane indiscipline and other traffic offences on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

“We are also proposing strategic activities to the Ogun State government, including regular drivers training in 2023, to foster compliance with traffic regulations and minimise crashes.

“Even though the ongoing road re-construction work reduced the allowance for speed between Ibafo and Kara/OPIC, route violation, especially by motorcycle riders, has been a major cause of accidents along this stretch of the expressway,” he said.

Mr Umar urged motorists to obey speed limits while calling on motorcycle riders to refrain from using the expressway and comply with the 50km/hr Speed Limit along feeder roads.

“All motorists are urged to avoid the intake of drugs and alcohol before and while driving and rest for at least 30 minutes after every four hours of driving.

“We have also commenced joint patrols with NDLEA to apprehend motorists driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”

The zonal commanding officer of FRSC, Peter Kibo, represented by Deputy Corps Marshal Lasisi Ogundele, said challenges encountered were mostly okada riders and vehicles driving against traffic.

He also stressed that some pedestrians who failed to use the footbridge also caused road accidents.

The Federal Controller of Roads in the state, Forosola Oloyede, said the sensitisation would enhance safety and reduce carnage on the roads.

(NAN)