The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ondo State Command, has said that 94 Road Traffic Crashes (RTC) claimed 53 lives and left 244 injured across the state in the first quarter of 2025.
FRSC State Sector Commander, Samuel Ibitoye, disclosed this during the 8th United Nations (UN) Road Safety Week held in Akure, with the theme: Streets For Life #Make Walking Safe # Make Cycling Safe.
Ibitoye said the figures recorded had increased compared to the number of cases, deaths and injuries in the first quarter of 2024.
The sector commander attributed the increase in the figure to speeding, dangerous driving, overloading, fatigue, bad roads, host issues, impatience and disregard to vehicle care.
He noted the need for reflection in the attitude of road users and other stakeholders
“Those killed included: 39 male adults, 13 female adults and one female child in the first quarter of 2025.
“But in the first quarter of 2024, 33 people were killed, comprising of 24 males, eight females and one female child, while 237 people were injured in the 74 cases recorded.
“These statistics remain horrendous and worrisome necessitating all stakeholders to reflect on the repugnant occurrence.
“So, there is need to reflect on our attitude as road users, government, policy makers, engineers, designers of the roads, and vehicles.
“Other mobility components, Civil Society Organisations are necessary to bring a change in road safety administration and road traffic management to reduce unnecessary deaths on the roads,” Ibitoye said.
He, therefore, called on drivers, pedestrians and passengers to evolve a change in behavior, and urged road users to exhibit positive attitudes for a reduction in the occurrence of RTC’s.
“Drivers are admonished to desist from drunk driving, road rage and speeding on the road to reduce RTC’s, especially the commercial drivers.
“I also commend Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his concerted exertions to improve mobility and enable the drivers geared at reducing RTC’s in the state.
“I also urge contractors involved in road construction and rehabilitation for government at all levels, to take into cognisance the incorporation of cycling lanes and walkways.
“This will enable non-motorised component of the intermodal transport system, boost trade, reduce traffic congestion, enhance healthy lifestyles of people, reduce carbon monoxide emission while assisting a desired ozone layer,” he said.
Also, Mr Kareem Tajudeen, Deputy Secretary, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), and Mr Adeniyi Oyedapo, Vice Chairman, National Road Transport Worker (NURTW), commended the command’s efforts to reduce crashes on highways in the state.
The duo said the associations had been sensitising their members on the need to take care of their vehicles and shun anything that could lead to crashes while driving.