File: FRSC officials rescue an accident victim

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Wednesday said it recorded 324 road crashes and 77 deaths in Benue State in 2017.

The State Sector Commandant, Mr David Mendie, stated this in Makurdi during the commemoration of the “2018 African Road Safety Day and World Day of Remembrance for Traffic Victims.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of this year’s Remembrance Day for Traffic Victims was, “Roads Have Stories.”

Mendie said a total of 1,752 persons were involved in 324 road crashes, and that 1,616 persons were rescued while 136 persons died in the crashes.

He explained that out of the 324 road crashes a total of 77 were fatal cases.

According to the sector commandant, speeding, overloading, recklessness, excessive drinking, bad roads, were among the major causes of road crashes in the state.

Mendie further said a total of 1.5 million people died in road crashes annually worldwide, adding that most of the victims were from the third world countries.

He advised all road users to be cautious while on the road and obey all traffic rules.

He urged passengers to properly check vehicles before boarding as most commercial vehicles were not road worthy.

Highlights of the event included sensitisation, a march round Makurdi township and thanksgiving mass on Sunday, Nov.18.