Sector Commander of the FRSC in Niger State, David Usman, said on Friday in Minna that the command recorded 428 road traffic crashes which resulted in 248 deaths in the state last year.
Usman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that “we had 428 crashes resulting in 248 deaths and 1, 210 people injured in 2012.’’ He said that most of the accidents resulted from non-adherence to traffic rules and regulations. ?The sector commander said the number of traffic offenders in the state in 2012 was being compiled as the year had just ended.
On motorcyclists not adhering to the use of crash helmets in 2012, he said that the command would carry out more enlightenment and enforcement campaign in 2013 to ensure compliance and to safeguard lives. “We need to enlighten motorcyclists more on the use of crash helmets; it is for the safety of their lives. “Because most of the road crashes involving motorcyclists become fatal as a result of not using the helmets, so they have not known the relevance of using the helmet.’’
He said that the head was one of the most sensitive parts of the body that needed to be protected, making the use of helmets essential. Usman advised road users in the state to be cautious while using the road and obey traffic rules and regulations in order to minimise crashes.