ONITSHA - No fewer than 171 deaths were recorded from 268 road crashes in the country between December 20 and December 31, 2011.
Mr. Osita Chidoka, the Corp Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), disclosed this in Onitsha, Anambra on Saturday after a routine patrol in line with the commission’s “Operation Zero’’ accident campaign.
Chidoka also said that the commission rescued over 1,300 people within the period under review .
He said that the FRSC’s Mobile Court in Anambra prosecuted 520 drivers for recklessness within the period, adding that most of them had paid the fines as well as received road safety education.
“The inspection and patrol today is in continuation of our operation zero campaign.
“We want to assure Nigerians that we are working and would see that they return safely to their businesses and work places after this yuletide.
“It is also to encourage my officers and men and to see how they are faring on the job as well as take note of complaints from them,’’ he remarked.
A bus driver, M. Obiorah Onyebuchi, who was fined and educated against overloading during the Chidoka led patrol, promised that he would not engage in overloading again.
Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said yesterday, that it rescued 1,300 persons from 269 road accidents nationwide during the yuletide.
In a statement, signed by the Public Education Officer, Mr. Nseobong Akpabio, in Abuja, the commission said 827 persons sustained injuries from the accidents.
It said 8,344 motorists were arrested for contravening 8,850 traffic offences.
The commission said out of 598 arraigned in mobile courts, 557 were convicted and fined, while 46 were discharged and three jailed.
The statement quoted Osita Chidoka, the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of FRSC as saying that the massive deployment of personnel and logistics, coupled with aerial surveillance and support from relevant agencies, had enhanced the operations of the commission in achieving its objectives.
Chidoka also said that the presence of the commission’s operatives on the highways during the yuletide impacted positively on the conduct of motorists.
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