The Oyo State FRSC Command on Monday said a total of 120 people? died? in 159 road crashes in Oyo State within the first half of the year.
The FRSC? Sector Commander, Godwin Ogagaoghene, said? this while speaking to the News Agency of? Nigeria (NAN) in? Ibadan.
Ogagaoghene said? the crashes, involving a total of 758 people, had occurred at various road points in the state.
He also said 638 people were? injured with? many of them still recuperating in? various health institutions in the state.
The FRSC boss, however,? said the data reflected an improvement from the same period in 2011 when? 145 people were killed and 730 injured in 179 road crashes.
“There is a 44 per cent drop in the total crash rate as compared to that of this period last year.
“The fatality dropped by about 14 per cent while the number of those? injured dropped by about 44.4 per cent.
“I believe this improved statistics reflects? upon our relentless effort in creating awareness on road safety measures over the last one year,’’ Ogagaoghene said.
He said the command also? organised? sensitisation seminars with motorists, truck drivers and motorcyclists on? road safety measures? during the rainy season.
“Motorists? are beginning to see the? need in obeying traffic laws while also ensuring their vehicles are in good condition before embarking on trips,’’ he said.
Having discovered that over speeding was a major factor in? crashes, Ogagaoghene said? special marshals had been? assigned to strategic highway locations.
He said? an increase in the number of staff in the command? had? helped to improve FRSC’s presence on the roads.
“By the end of the year, we hope to have reduced the number of crashes in Oyo State by an average of about 40 per cent,’’ he said.
He called on road users to collaborate with the? commission? by always obeying traffic rules and regulations.
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