Road crashes claim 5,421 lives in 2024, up by seven per cent

Figure marks 10% reduction from 10,617 incidents in 2023

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has reported a seven per cent rise in road crash fatalities in 2024, with 5,421 lives lost compared to 5,081 deaths in 2023.

This was disclosed in the Corps’ yearly performance analysis released yesterday in Abuja by Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed.

The report revealed 9,570 road crashes nationwide in 2024, a 10 per cent reduction from the 10,617 crashes recorded in 2023. Despite the drop in crash incidents, fatalities increased, attributed mainly to human errors.

The data also highlighted that 411 deaths, representing 7.6 per cent of the total fatalities in 2024, were linked to fuel scooping from fallen tankers rather than direct crash impacts. Without these secondary incidents, the Corps would have recorded 5,010 deaths in 2024, reflecting a 1.4 per cent decrease compared to the previous year.

A total of 70,530 people were involved in road crashes in 2024, slightly higher than the 70,092 recorded in 2023, indicating a one per cent rise. The number of injuries also dropped marginally, with 31,154 people injured in 2024 compared to 31,874 in 2023, representing a two per cent reduction.

The report highlighted five landmark crashes that accounted for significant casualties during the festive season. These included incidents in Plateau State, Abia State, and Kwara State, among others, resulting in 247 deaths or 39 per cent of fatalities within the period.

Between December 15, 2024, and January 15, 2025, 531 crashes were recorded. Of these, 169 were fatal, 287 were classified as serious, and 75 were minor. A total of 2,129 people were rescued without injuries during this period, representing an 8.2 per cent decrease compared to 2023.

In a bid to enhance compliance with traffic regulations, the FRSC reported a reduction in routine enforcement activities in 2024. The Corps arrested 21,580 traffic offenders during the year, compared to 29,220 in 2023, reflecting a 26 per cent increase in compliance. Similarly, traffic offences dropped by 23.5 per cent, from 33,940 in 2023 to 25,942 in 2024.

Commenting on the report, Mohammed stressed that most crashes were caused by preventable factors such as fatigue, speed violations, dangerous driving, and poor vehicle maintenance. He also noted that overloading and transporting passengers in haulage vehicles contributed significantly to crash fatalities.

To curb these issues, the Corps intensified collaboration with the judiciary through mobile court sittings, during which 1,013 offenders were arraigned. Of these, 923 were convicted, three were imprisoned, and 117 discharged.

Mohammed urged road users to prioritise safety and adhere to traffic regulations to minimise crashes and fatalities in 2025. He reiterated the FRSC’s commitment to reducing road crashes through increased public awareness, enforcement, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.