The Plateau Command of the Federal Road Safety (FRSC) says road traffic crashes have claimed 43 lives in the state in the last nine months.
Mr Ibrahim Saddiq, the Acting Sector Commander in the state, disclosed this at the inauguration of the 2019 Ember Months Sensitisation Campaign on Thursday in Plateau, Jos.
According to Saddiq, 600 persons sustained various degrees of injury from the 173 road traffic crashes recorded in the state in the period under review.
“Between January and September, the command recorded 173 crashes with 1, 134 persons involved.
“Thirty-four people lost their lives, 600 sustained various degrees of injury, while 491 were rescued unhurt,’’ he said.
The acting sector commander explained that the ember month’s sensitisation and special patrols were aimed at ensuring that road traffic crashes did not lead to death or serious injuries.
He said that the focus of the campaign would be on creating awareness on speed limit device violation, overloading, use of worn-out tyres, and traffic light violation.
Others, he said include, use of phone while driving, seatbelt violation, route violation and lane indiscipline.
“The command has also mapped out strategies to enhance effective operation during this period across the state until January 2020.
“Some of the strategies include, motor park rallies, sensitisations at worship centres, town hall meetings, early morning cry, Mobile Courts and traffic control,’’ he said.
The acting sector commander called on motorists in the state to support the command in its bid to ensure a safe motoring environment for all, particularly during the ember months.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that drivers were sensitised on the effects of drugs abuse and free Blood Pressure (BP) and Sugar tests were conducted for the drivers during the exercise.
NAN also reports that the 2019 ember months campaign has the theme: “Road Safety in the State of Mind, Road Traffic Crash is Absence of Mind; Stay Alert, Stay Alive.’’
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