Road crashes reduced in 2024

Annual performance analysis released by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) indicates that from January to December 2024, the Corps recorded a huge reduction in road traffic crashes as well as in the number of people injured when compared to the annual record of 2023.

The data noted that it is obvious that the crashes were the result of human errors.

The report, released on Monday in Abuja by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, noted that from 1st January to 31st December 2024, a total of 9,570 road traffic crashes were recorded nationwide.

This figure is compared to the 10,617 road traffic crashes recorded in 2023, which signifies a tremendous reduction of 10 percent.

Furthermore, 31,154 people were injured in 2024, while 31,874 were injured in 2023, representing a 2 percent decrease. However, the Corps recorded a 7 percent increase in fatalities as 5,421 people were killed in 2024, while 5,081 people were killed in 2023.

Meanwhile, a total of 70,530 people were involved in road traffic crashes in 2024, compared to 70,092 in 2023, signifying an increase of 1 percent.

The Corps recorded a total of 531 road traffic crashes nationwide, as against 634 recorded in the same period in 2023.

This represents a 16.2 percent reduction. Moreover, a total of 2,129 people were rescued without injuries, representing an 8.2 percent decrease when compared to the 2,319 rescued in the same period in 2023.

According to the report, out of the total fatalities that occurred in 2024, 411 deaths, representing 7.6 percent of the total deaths, were not primarily caused by the crashes but were a secondary factor of scooping fuel from fallen tankers.

The analysis noted that, without the casualties recorded from scooping fuel from crashed tankers, the Corps would have recorded 5,010 deaths in 2024, against 5,081 in 2023, signifying a 1.4 percent reduction in the total number of people killed.

Meanwhile, the Corps recorded an increase in the total number of people involved, killed, and injured.

The data showed that within the period under review, 4,586 people were involved in RTC, representing a 3.1 percent increase when compared to the data from the same period in 2023, which had 4,446 people involved.

In addition, 402 people were killed in the 2024 exercise, which is against 335 recorded in 2023, signifying a 20 percent increase. Incidentally, within the period under review, 2,055 people were injured in both 2023 and 2024.

According to the analysis, between 15 December 2024 and 15 January 2025, a total of 531 crashes were recorded.

Out of these reported cases, 169 were fatal, 287 serious, while 75 were minor.

There were also 5 landmark crashes that defined the outcome of the number of road traffic crashes, fatalities, as well as injuries recorded.

These were: Jing, Shendam in Plateau State on 20 December 2024, which killed 11 people; Bende-Ohafia route in Abia State on 22 December 2024, which killed 11 people; that of 25 December 2024 on the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway, which killed 8 passengers; that of Jebba, Kwara State on Thursday 26 December 2024, which claimed 30 lives; as well as that of Owo-Ikare route before Ose Bridge on 28 December 2024, which led to the death of 13 passengers.

The five landmark crashes were the most fatal crashes out of the 37 critical crashes that killed 3 persons or more, and accounted for 7 percent of the total crashes recorded during the period.

However, the data further indicated that those 37 crashes alone resulted in the death of 247 persons, which constituted a whopping 39 percent of the total deaths recorded within the period.

The Corps also recorded a reduction in its routine enforcement, with a total of 21,580 traffic offenders arrested in 2024, as against 29,220 within the same period in 2023.

This signifies a 26 percent increase in compliance with traffic rules and regulations.

The total number of offenses committed stood at 25,942, representing a 23.5 percent reduction in traffic law violations when compared to the data of the same period in 2023.

The conveyance of persons in haulage vehicles, overloading of persons, conveying petroleum products in passenger vehicles, and fatigue were the most probable causes of the 3 death-and-above-per-crash threshold.

Commenting on the data, Mohammed noted that the Corps collaborated with the judiciary for special enforcement operations using the Mobile Courts sittings, adding that out of these sessions, 1,013 traffic offenders were arraigned, 923 convicted, 3 imprisoned, and 117 discharged and acquitted.

He reiterated that the alarming rate of crashes and fatalities occurred as a result of loading trailers with passengers, goods and persons, fatigue, speed violations, overloading, dangerous driving, as well as poor vehicle maintenance within the period under review.

“The 2024 recorded fatalities are alarming and therefore unacceptable. The situation is worrisome, especially in cases of unprecedented fatalities as a result of scooping petroleum products from crashed tankers (Niger and Jigawa in perspective).”

“In this beginning year 2025, I wish to caution motorists and travelers to avoid excessive speed and overloading as much as possible. Passengers should avoid boarding trailers and trucks meant for goods, including night trips due to the inherent dangers.”

“The Corps is committed to achieving its statutory mandate through compliance with the Presidential directives to collaborate with the National Orientation Agency with a view to sensitizing the public on the dangers of scooping fuel from crashed tankers.”

“Management will also continue to motivate staff through enhanced welfare packages. It is also expected that our efforts at capacity building will provide the required skills and professionalism needed for enhanced productivity.”