The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Monday said the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has the highest number of road crashes in the country.
Mr Kingsley Agomoh, the Zonal Commanding Officer, FRSC, FCT, made this known in a document on Monday in Abuja.
Agomoh listed the locations identified in the analysis with the highest percentage of crashes in the FCT as : Abaji-Kwali, AYA-Nyanya, Yangoji-Abaji, Umar Musa Yar’Adua Express Way and Kubwa Express Way
“In response to the Dashboard analysis for 1st quarter and 2nd quarter 2016, which reveals that FCT has the highest number of crashes nationwide, the Zone is presently analysing details of the crash occurrences.
“This is with a view to identifying prevalent causes, location and time of the day.
“The revelation arising from this analysis will help in initiating strategies to curb the trend in line with the 2016 Corps Strategic Objective to reduce RTC by 15 per cent and fatalities by 20 per cent,’’ he said.
Agomoh urged the Commanding officers within the black spot areas and all Commanding Officers in the Zone to be alive to the onerous task of reducing crashes to its barest minimum.
He said there was need to focus more on crash reduction within the Zone, report rendition as well as engage in collaborative efforts with other stakeholders to actualise the UN Decade of Action.
The zonal commanding officer said that stringent measures had also been put in place by the FRSC to ensure that patrol operatives did not compromise in the course of their duties.
He said that the Zone initiated the `Roll of Dishonour’ Board aimed at publicising the name of any staff whose appointment was terminated because of extortion and malpractice.
He said this was to enable the public to know the culprit and to also serve as deterrent to other corps so as to maintain the integrity of the FRSC.
Agomoh directed the Commands to replicate the “Roll of Dishonour Board’’ in their respective commands with pictorial evidence submitted to the Zone by Aug. 16, 2016.
Mr Sunday Oghenekaro, the Sector Commander, FCT Sector Command, told NAN that the anaylsis on FCT as having the highest rate of road crash called for more work to make the roads safer.
Oghenekaro attributed the high rate of road crashes in the FCT to the good road in the nation’s capital, adding that people tended to drive recklessly because they were carried away by the smooth roads.
Another reason, he said, was FCT residents’ attitude toward obeying traffic rules and regulations was low.
He said that the command would increase the presence of its men on all the notorious places marked as “black spots” especially during weekends where night clubs and gardens were booming.
He attributed drinking and driving as the cause for most crashes in the FCT, adding that people usually drink in those places and still want to drive home thereby causing accidents.
“FCT residents love to relax at weekends by visiting clubs or gardens to drink, the challenge, however, is that they still want to drive after drinking which is not right.
“ Use public transport if you must drink at weekends so that someone who has not taken alcohol will take you home safely rather than you being under the influence and cause crash on the road,’’ he said.
