Death from road accidents higher than AIDS – FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said that the number of deaths recorded daily on highways through road accidents is higher than death from the dreaded Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

This was disclosed by the acting Sector Commander of FRSC in Lagos State, Michael Olapade during a courtesy call on the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa in his office, Alausa Ikeja on Tuesday.

While recalling the death of Minister of state for Labour and Employment, James Ocholi, his wife and son as a result of an auto crash along Abuja-Kaduna road, Olapada said “the lives of our youths are being lost on daily basis. Many people talk of AIDS as most deadly, FRSC do not believe this when you talk of number of deaths, road accidents are higher.”

The sector Commander explained that as everybody continues to aspire in life, “we want to partner with all the people that are important to the people so that we will save lives for Nigeria to be better.”

While appealing for more support from the House, Olapade stated that the number of units and equipment for the organisation is inadequate.


He pointed out that the institution in Lagos has 15 units and one sector command, saying that out of the total number of vehicles in the country, Lagos state has one quarter. “The number of these units is not enough to complement the efforts of other traffic agencies like LASTMA and VIO.”

While assuring the institution’s readiness to collaborate with the state government, Olapade said that the organization has plans in the offing to decorate members of the House as special marshals.

In his reaction, the Speaker said the House appreciates the good job done by the men of FRSC.

He however stated that effort must be made to curtail the activities of bad eggs in the organisation that extort money from motorists.

“You should monitor the activities of your men, there are roads that can’t be categorised as either federal or state road some of your men do go to extort money from motorists,” Obasa said.


(The Nation)