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Tag: road accidents

  • The world is still dealing with a high number of road traffic accidents

    The world is still dealing with a high number of road traffic accidents

    Road traffic accidents continue to increase, and they are still an important reason why people die globally. Unfortunately, even though countries worldwide have taken some steps to improve road conditions, participants still engage in dangerous behaviors that, in most cases, result in accidents. This is a pity, as in the majority of cases, road traffic injuries are preventable. Now, we have technology and information to our advantage, and we should use them to reduce the chances of accidents. There are several ways to reduce the likelihood of road traffic accidents, and this article will delve into this issue in more detail. Ready to learn more? Keep reading.

    A larger picture of the problem

    Even though road accidents have decreased in developed countries compared to the past, they continue to be a problem. In the past, the number has reduced due to speed limit enforcement, seatbelt laws, and the prohibition on driving under the influence of alcohol. As a result, the number of road traffic accidents has reduced in some regions of the world.

    However, there are also some countries, like Malaysia and China, where road traffic fatalities have increased. There are several reasons why car accidents occur. Here are the most common ones

    • Distracted driving: Distracted driving is a very important problem and one of the main reasons why car accidents continue to happen worldwide. Even though individuals know they should not text while driving, eating, or engaging in other activities, they continue to do this. Unfortunately, the consequences of this behavior are severe and can result in numerous accidents. Plus, innocent individuals can also be involved in a car accident because of another person’s negligence. Accident Claims Lawyers help people who have dealt with car accidents receive compensation for the long-lasting effects that the car collision has had on their physical and mental health.
    • Speeding: Speeding remains a significant factor in the continued occurrence of accidents. Unfortunately, speeding reduces reaction time, and as a result, drivers increase their chances of being involved in an accident and encountering unexpected road scenarios.
    • Drunk driving: Another cause of accidents in the world is drunk driving, which brings impaired judgment, slow reaction times, and reduced coordination.
    • Weather conditions: Weather conditions can also increase the likelihood of being involved in a car accident, which is why individuals should exercise greater caution when driving in unfavorable weather conditions.
    • Inexperienced drivers: Sometimes, inexperienced drivers don’t take a cautious approach, and because they don’t have that much experience, they might not prevent accidents from happening. This is why inexperienced drivers can be more prone to accidents.

    What are the best prevention methods that individuals worldwide should consider?

    There are numerous prevention interventions that governments worldwide can implement to reduce the likelihood of car accidents. Additionally, this is a journey that many should participate in, including road providers, drivers, police, health professionals, pedestrians, and others. Here are some good ideas that can reduce the chances of accidents:

    • Reducing risk exposure: One of the most effective ways for governments worldwide to mitigate the likelihood of accidents is by better managing risk exposure. In many countries, traffic is chaotic due to crowded roads, poor road conditions, and rapid population growth.
    • Designing new roads by prioritizing safety: Safety is one of the most crucial criteria to consider when developing roads. There are some leading countries from which governments can draw inspiration. For example, Denmark and the Netherlands design their loads according to rural zones, residential areas, and high speeds, emphasizing safety practices.
    • Create smart vehicles: Smart vehicles can also reduce the chances of accidents and bring more safety to the landscape. These can help regions that are dealing with problems that can result in car accidents.
    • Improving visibility is also important for car accidents, as they are one of the leading causes. By improving visibility, we can already reduce the likelihood of accidents.
    • Setting more road rules: Rules can also reduce the chances of car accidents and are one of the most successful projects that governments worldwide should focus on. For example, countries can consider speed-limiting devices that encourage drivers to respect the speed limits.
    • Improving public transportation: Developing better public transportation measures can also help reduce the chances of car accidents and promote safer road conditions. If the public transportation infrastructure is in place, people might consider using it instead of driving their cars.

    Considerations to keep in mind that can help you reduce the chances of car accidents

    • Ensure you are fit to drive: To reduce your chances of being involved in a car accident, you must first ensure you are physically fit to drive. So, make sure you check your eyes and hear well. In this way, you will be able to detect important sounds, such as sirens and car horns. Additionally, you must be able to rotate your neck so that you can check visibility and avoid engaging in dangerous road conditions.
    • Make sure to inspect your vehicle: To reduce the risk of an accident,ensure your vehicle is roadworthy. So, inspect your car regularly and check whether the mirrors and windows are clean, and whether the tires are inflated properly.
    • Pay attention to the road conditions as a pedestrian: You should also ensure you pay attention to the road conditions when you are a pedestrian, as this might reduce your chances of getting involved in a car accident. So, don’t think that because you are a pedestrian, the drivers will just offer you privileged behavior. Make sure you don’t speak on your phone and use the marked crosswords.

    Conclusion

    The world continues to have a high number of road accidents. There are many ways in which individuals can diminish their chances of being involved in a car accident. In this article, we have explored some of them; however, maintaining a safe road is a process that requires the involvement of many participants, including drivers, governments, and pedestrians.

  • 1,323 died in road accidents in 2023

    1,323 died in road accidents in 2023

    In the fourth quarter of 2023 (Q4 2023), the total number of people who died in road crashes were 1,323, comprising 1,104 males (83.45%) and 219 females (16.55%), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed yesterday.

    NBS’ report titled “Road Transport Data Q4 2023,” said a total of 6,929 males were injured during the period, indicating 76.01% of 9,116 injured persons compared to 2,187 (23.99%) females injured.

    The opening part of the report noted that the total number of road traffic crashes in Q4 2023 was 2,717, indicating an increase of 24.23% from the previous quarter (Q3) which recorded 2,187 and 33.12% decrease from 3,617 in Q4 2022.

    Read Also: 1,323 persons die in road accidents in Q4 2023 – NBS

    According to the data, of all crashes, serious cases stood top in Q4 2023 with 1,772 compared to fatal and minor cases with 687 and 258 respectively.

    NBS added that the three categories of cases- fatal, serious and minor- recorded increase by 29.13%, 24.87% and 9.32% respectively, in the quarter under review, relative to the preceding quarter.

    The document also noted that a total of 4,195 vehicles were involved in road traffic crashes in Q4 2023, higher than the previous quarter which recorded 3,371, indicating an increase of 24.44%.

    It added that the “North-Central recorded the highest number of crashes in Q4 2023 with 905, followed by the South-West with 650, while the South South had the least with 141.

    “Similarly, the North-Central recorded the highest number of casualties with 3,152, followed by the North-West with 2,550, while the South-South recorded the least with 412.”

  • Road accidents kill 88, injure 429 in Ogun in six months

    Road accidents kill 88, injure 429 in Ogun in six months

    No fewer than 88 people have lost their lives while 429 others sustained varying degrees of injury following a total of 267 road traffic crashes that occurred from January to June 30 this year in Ogun State.

    The Commander of Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Cdr. ‘Seni Ogunyemi, disclosed this at the 8th annual TRACE Commander’s conference and retreat on Wednesday at the Valley View, Government House, Abeokuta.

    Ogunyemi expressed concern at the traffic accident cases recorded in the state within the period in focus, saying most of them could have been prevented if adequate caution had been taken by the drivers, passengers, commuters and pedestrians.

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    He, however, assured that the agency would continue to strive harder through its various schemes to make Ogun State traffic strip safe.

    The resource person of this year’s edition of TRACE Retreat, Prof. Olayiwole Solanke, an educationist and transport consultant, who spoke on the theme, ‘Traffic Management Solutions And Capacity Building As A Panacea To Traffic Challenges In Nigeria,’ called for the adoption of technology – driven techniques to manage traffic in the state and Nigeria.

    Prof. Solanke who is the Dean, Faculty of Administration and Management Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, (OOU), Ago Iwoye, said the current conservative method of traffic management in the country can’t be expected to yield a better and different results in this 21st century.

    He also made a case for the provision of adequate traffic engineering facilities – road signs, parking space and, other infrastructure on the roads among others, to ensure efficient traffic management and reduction in auto crashes.

  • Road accidents kill four, injure four in Ogun

    Two separate road accidents in different locations in Ogun State have left four persons dead and four others injured on Wednesday.

    The first accident which occurred at the President Paint – Onibukun stretch of the Iju-Atan road, involved a truck marked JJJ 197 XU and a motorcycle with registration number QT 76 9EKY, resulted in the death of the motorcyclist.

    It was learnt that the truck knocked down the motorcyclist when he rider attempted to overtake it.

    The remains of dead have been taken at the morgue of the State General hospital,Ota while the truck has also been evacuated to the Atan Police Division.

    The second accident which claimed the lives of three persons – a male and two females, happened at Baagbon area of Odeda in Odeda Local Government Area of the state and involved a taxi car marked GBE 481 XA and Toyota Corolla.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, who confirmed the separate accidents, identified inappropriate overtaking as the cause of both.

    Akinbiyi added that in respect of the second accident, the injured were rescued and taken to the State General Hospital, Ijaiye, while remains of the dead were deposited at the morgue of the General Hospital, Odeda.

  • Five die in Ogun road accidents

    Five persons died yesterday in two auto accidents in Ogun State.

    Many others were injured.

    The first accident, which occurred around 8:45 a.m at Alakara in Oke-Odan on the Owode-Idiroko area, involved a commercial bus with registration number (Lagos) KSF 01 XC and a taxi cab, marked (Lagos) LSD 491 XQ.

    It was learnt that the bus, which was conveying 18 passengers from Idiroko through Sango, collided with the taxi in the opposite direction when the bus overtook another vehicle at a sharp bend.

    Four persons, including the bus driver, were said to have died in the accident while several others were injured.

    The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, attributed the accident to “wrong overtaking”.

    He said the remains of the dead had been deposited at the general hospitals at Ilaro and and Idiroko, while the injured were receiving treatment at the general hospital at Idiroko.

    The second accident, which claimed the life of one person, was said to have occurred at Olorunpodo-J4 stretch of the Sagamu-Ore Expressway around 9.30 a.m.

    It involved a Honda car, marked (Enugu) CW 23 ENU and a truck on the fleet a cement manufacturing company in Ogun State.

    The truck was said to have rammed into a side of the Honda, killing one and injuring two others in the car.

    According to Akinbiyi, the injured were taken to Hope Hospital at J4 while the body of the dead was deposited at the morgue of the State Hospital in Ijebu-Ode.

     

  • FRSC seeks varsities collaboration to curb road crashes

    The Federal Road Safety Commission ( FRSC ) has called for the collaboration of universities in the country to curb road accidents.

    Mrs Stella Uchegbu, FRSC Sector Commander in Ebonyi, made the call on Saturday at the Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo (AE—FUNAI), during an interactive session with the university community.

    Uchegbu said that universities as citadels of learning have great roles to play in educating and enlightening the populace to obey traffic rules and regulations.

    “I am saddened over loss of lives on the state’s roads with this institution, losing an illustrious professor under such circumstance in 2017.

    “The FRSC immediately intervened and rescued the late professor after the accident as we are determined to prevent death on roads in the state.

    “This might be a tall ambition but actualising it involves the collaboration of all stakeholders including universities with emphasis placed on prevention more than rescue,” he said.

    The sector commander described FRSC officials as rescuers and advised road users, especially drivers, to always drive safely.

    “Drivers should embrace defensive driving to reduce death on our roads despite the various factors which influence driving on the roads.

    “There is an aspect of the traffic mix that predisposes people to road crashes and this consists of human elements: drivers, passengers and pedestrians among others.

    “Drivers should take cognizance of preventive measures to avoid road crashes which include: observing road safety signs, rules and regulations, wearing of seatbelt, genuinely obtaining drivers licenses, among others.

    “Cyclists should always wear their helmets while on the roads and also obey all traffic regulations to stay alive.

    “FRSC wishes to inform the public that driving is not allowed for individuals below 18 years and those above 70 years of age,” she said.

    Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, Vice-Chancellor of AE—FUNAI, appreciated the sector commander for the visit and noted that the shared knowledge would greatly enrich the university community.

    “I also thank the staff and students for their large turnout as road crashes had inflicted serious pains on the university.

    “We also assure the public that challenges such as security threats, cultism and theft among others would be seriously tackled to attain the lofty heights set by the university,” he said.

    Road safety tips were given to the university community by officials of the FRSC as both parties interacted on general road safety issues.

    The occasion also witnessed an interdenominational prayer summit to mark the two years in office of the vice-chancellor, with prayers also said for university community members who died of road crashes.

    NAN

  • How to reduce road accidents in Nigeria, by expert

    How to reduce road accidents in Nigeria, by expert

    The Chief Consultant at Menet Engineering Consultancy Services, Dr Terry Mene, has urged government at all levels to ensure that drivers get proper training before getting onto the highways.

    He said this would reduce accidents on the nation’s highways.

    The chief consultants noted that accidents are serious issues that government at all levels must also take serious.

    Mene spoke in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State, after a three-day intensive defensive driving training course at the headquarters of Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA).

    The chief consultant noted that loss of lives and property to roads accidents could be reduced if drivers get effective training about their job.

    Mene, who supervised the training of the 14 drivers enrolled by NDBDA management, lauded the vision and passion of the Managing Director, Tonye David-West.

    The expert described him as a rare public servant.

    The chief consultant said government should take road signing and markings serious because “they are the primary guide for drivers on the roads’.

    According to him, authorities must ensure that driving schools, where drivers are trained, are properly supervised to ensure that they do the right things.

    He said: “My advice, first and foremost, is to ensure that the driving schools are properly supervised to ensure that they teach road signs and road markings. I also advice the federal, states and local governments to ensure that their areas are properly signed and marked because it is the road signs that guide drivers in driving. It will tell the driver when to give way and when to go on. These are not there for now, not even the centre lines are properly marked.

    “I know this is an area in this country which people don’t take seriously. Of course, most of our roads are also naked. They have no road signs, neither road markings. These are among the things I wish to take on with government at all levels so that they would ensure that our roads are properly signed and marked.”

    On the recent safety training at NDBDA, Mene said: “It was a great thing to have the managing director of a government agency getting so concerned about the rate Nigerians die on the roads, that he decided to train his drivers.

    “What does he get in return? The rate of accidents will go back to almost zero, which will then help insurance premiums because the more accidents you get, the higher your insurance. The benefit is that it saves lives, it saves the authority’s property, which are cars, and it will also save money, because the insurance premium will begin to go down.”

     

  • 10 die in Ondo road accidents

    TEN persons have reportedly died in road accidents on the Ijebu-Ode/Ore Expressway as well as at Ibaka Market in Akungba-Akoko.

    The first accident, according to an eyewitness, was at Agodogun in Odigbo Local Government Area and the second at Ibaka Market in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko-South West Local Government Area, both in Ondo State.

    It was learnt that the Ijebu-Ode/Ore Expressway accident was a head-on collision of two vehicles.

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said the accident happened at 1.40 p.m and involved a black Mercedes Benz jeep with registration number (Lagos) EPE 144 EW and a blue Toyota Carina car with number plate (Ondo) KTP 580 RG.

    FRSC’s Ondo State Sector Commander Vincent Jack said seven people were involved in the accident.

    The FRSC commander said six of them died while the seventh person was injured.

    He said the accident was caused by speeding.

    The Akungba market accident, Jack said, claimed four lives, with two injured.

    It was learnt that a truck, with registration number (Lagos) LSD 509 XM, had a brake failure and rammed into a road side market in the town.

    The FRSC chief said the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the morgue of the State Specialists Hospital in Ikare-Akoko while the injured were also taken to the same hospital for treatment.

    He urged the motorists to always avoid reckless driving and be mindful of traffic rules and regulations.

  • ‘200 killed in 718 road accidents in Ogun’

    ‘200 killed in 718 road accidents in Ogun’

    •996 injured in 2017

    COMMANDER of Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) ’Seni Ogunyemi has said 200 persons died last year in accidents across the state.

    The agency chief said 718 road accidents occurred, resulting in 996 persons sustaining injuries.

    Giving the statistics, he said those killed comprised 155 men and 45 women, 4,805 were rescued unhurt following intervention by traffic agencies.

    Ogunyemi said 238 private cars, 48 private buses, 357 commercial buses, 262 commercial cars, 214 motorcycles and 72 tricycles were also involved in crashes.

    Also, 95 pick-up vans, 167 medium trucks, 96 heavy trucks and 192 others, according to the TRACE commander, were involved in accidents.

    A statement yesterday in Abeokuta, the capital, by TRACE spokesman Babatunde Akinbiyi attributed the accidents to speeding, dangerous driving, bad tyres, driving against traffic and other factors.

    Akinbiyi added that 4,297 vehicles and 1,275 motorcycles were apprehended for 6,230 offences.

    He reiterated the resolve of TRACE “to reduce deaths and injuries on roads in Ogun State in 2018”.

    According to him, this will be pursued vigorously and relentlessly.

    Akinbiyi advised the public to obey traffic rules and remember that “the road is patient but does not forgive”.

     

  • ‘200 killed in 718 road accidents in Ogun’

    •996 others injured in 2017

    The Commander of Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), ’Seni Ogunyemi, has said 200 people died last year in road accidents across the state.

    The agency chief said 718 road traffic accidents occurred on the state’s roads, resulting in 996 injured persons.

    Giving the statistics of the victims, he said those killed in the accidents comprised 155 males and 45 females while 4,805 other persons were rescued unhurt due to quick intervention of traffic agencies.

    Ogunyemi said in the year under review, 238 private cars, 48 private buses, 357 commercial buses, 262 commercial cars, 214 motorcycles and 72 tricycles were involved in the road crashes.

    Also involved were 95 pickup vans, 167 medium trucks, 96 heavy trucks and 192 other vehicles, according to the TRACE commander.

    A statement yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital, by TRACE spokesman Babatunde Akinbiyi attributed the causes of the accidents to speeding, dangerous driving, bad tyres, driving against traffic and other factors.

    Akinbiyi added that 4,297 motor vehicles and 1,275 motorcycles were apprehended for 6,230 offences during the period.

    He reiterated the resolve of TRACE “to reduce deaths and injuries on all roads in Ogun State in 2018”.

    According to him, this will be pursued vigorously and relentlessly this year to the extent that no traffic offender will go unpunished.

    Akinbiyi advised the motoring public to obey traffic rules and remember that “the road is patient but does not forgive”.