The Federal Road Safety Corps said it recorded 82 road crashes in Akwa Ibom State in 2021, as against 93 recorded in 2020.

Sector Commander of the corps in the state, Mr Matthew Olonisaye, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Uyo.

Olonisaye warned drivers against speeding, saying that most of the crashes experienced were speed related.

He reminded drivers, motorists and all road users that road safety remained a shared responsibility, adding that the command would not condone any disobedience to traffic safety regulations.

According to him, while evaluating the corps activities 2021 and how they faired in the state with respect to traffic safety, it was discovered that most of the causative factors to the crashes experienced were speed related.

He said that though management of speed had remained one of the biggest challenges facing road safety practitioners nationwide, it called for concerted response and effort.

“However, drivers must realise the dangers associated with speeding which include, losing control of the vehicle and reducing the driver’s reaction time.

“Reducing the effectiveness of the vehicle’s occupant-protection features, increasing the amount of distance needed to safely stop a vehicle, increasing the severity of an auto crash and the resulting damage and injuries.

“Increase fatality among others. On this premise, the corps warned motorists, especially commercial vehicle operators against flouting the law on use of speed limiting devices in their vehicles.

“Comparatively, a total number of 82 road crashes were recorded in 2021 as against 93 recorded in 2020 in the state.

“Speed related issues, tyre bust, brake failure, wrongful overtaking and dangerous driving were the major causative factors of the crashes experienced in 2021,” Olonisaye said.

The sector commander urged drivers to include safe driving culture as part of their new year resolutions to reduce crashes on the road.

He advised drivers to ensure they obtained or renewed their driver’s licence, vehicles documents and adhere to traffic rules and regulations.

Olonisaye acknowledged the efforts of stakeholders that joined road safety campaigns at the festive periods to make the roads safer.

He also commended some drivers, who conducted themselves well by obeying road safety rules and regulations at the festive period.

He added that they made the rate of fatalities of road crashes manageable.

He cautioned drivers and all road users to strive to protect and safeguard their lives, especially while using the road.

“The conduct of some drivers at Christmas and new year celebrations which made the rate and fatalities of road traffic crashes manageable, is also commendable.

“Of course, road safety remains a shared responsibility which no single organisation can tackle all alone without support and collaboration of relevant stakeholders.

“As a matter of necessity, we must strive to protect and safeguard our lives especially while using the roads, realising that our family members, friends and well-wishers eagerly wait to receive and welcome us back home alive,” he said.

He urged drivers and passengers to ensure that they stayed safe and took precautionary measures against COVID-19.

NAN