The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Lagos command has recorded a total of 74 deaths in various traffic crashes in the second quarter of 2022 in the state.
Asst. Corp Marshal, Peter Kibo, the Zonal Commanding Officer, made the disclosure during the 2022 Ember month campaign flag off on Wednesday in Lagos.
The theme of the Ember Months Campaign is, “Avoid Speeding, Overlaoding, Unsafe Tyres, to Arrive Alive”.
Corps Commander Olusegun Ogungbemide, the Lagos Sector Commander, who represented Kibo said 232 people were injured within the period.
He added that 10 deaths were recently recorded in the Ishagamu fire accident.
He said that road safety and management were everybody’s business.
According to Kibo, the gridlock in Lagos helps in reducing accidents, but excess speed, lack of discipline and failure to obey traffic rules have resulted in road crashes in the state.
The zonal commander urged commuters to always caution drivers against speeding and other actions inimical to road safety.
Also, he preached against night journey, saying that 50 per cent of deaths recorded in 2022 happened in the night.
Various stakeholders cautioned drivers against taking alcohol and other intoxicants to avoid crashes in their goodwill messages.
Mr Lucas Oguntade, the FRSC Head of Operation in the state, advised motorist to always check their health status and condition of their vehicles before taking the road.
According to him, lots of accident were caused by bad eye sights.
Also, Lt. Col. Emmanuel Sholotan, Commanding Officer, 174 Battalion, Nigeria Army Ikorodu, urged road users to avoid taking drugs, and speeding.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Abiodun Alabi, represented by ACP Mr Oludotun Odubona, commended efforts of the FRSC to make roads safer for motorists.
He urged drivers to stop indiscriminate parking and picking passengers in unauthorised places, he said that the action usually caused traffic congestion, giving criminals the opportunity to rob commuters.
Also, he pleaded with road users to desist from consuming alcohol to avert accidents.
Mr Bolaji Oreagba, the General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), urged motorists to obey traffic rules at all times.
Oreagba,who was represented by LASTMA Controller, Mr Jubril Oshodi, encouraged drivers to ensure they laid safety foundations before moving their vehicles on the road.
Mr Igbeke Austine, the Assistant Commandant, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos, said most accidents had something to do with drug abuse.
Therefore, Austine, advised road users to avoid taking alcohol and other intoxicants.
Alhaji Gbeminiyi Animashaun, the Chairman, More Blessing motor Park, Sobo, Ikorodu, pleaded with park officials to desist from taking alcohol, so as to serve as models to drivers.
If motor drivers’ leaders take alcohol, drivers at the parks will also engage in illicit drug use which will endanger the lives of passengers, he added.
Mr Rotimi Olowofela, the Partnership Manager of Leadway Assurance, on his part, said 3,345 road accidents occured in Nigeria in the first quarter of 2022, with 1,834 deaths recorded.