The Federal Road Safety Corps on Thursday announced that it recorded a drop in the number of fatalities and road traffic crashes involving commuters.

According to Bisi Kazeem, the Corps Public Education Officer, the “record-breaking reduction in road traffic crashes, fatalities and injuries” was recorded during the just concluded operation zero exercise that lasted between December 2021 to 15 January 2022.

While the fatality rate dropped to 26 per cent, the force revealed that the rate of road traffic crashes and the number of injured commuters dropped by nine per cent apiece.

“The Corps recorded during the last special patrol operations, a massive 26% decrease in the number of people killed, 9% decrease in RTC and also recorded 9% reduction in the total number of people injured, as against the same period in 2021.

“According to a total of 600 road traffic crashes (RTC) were recorded as against a total of 660 in the same period in 2020 representing 9% decrease.

“In the same period, 327 people were killed against 443 people in the same period in 2020 representing a 26% reduction in fatalities while a total of 1916 people were rescued with injuries against 2099 in 2020 also representing a 9% reduction in injuries.”

The drop alternatively resulted in an “increase in the total number of people rescued as the Corps rescued; 2406 victims of RTC against 2273 people rescued in 2020.”

He said the statistics represent a 6% increase.

Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, said that the reduction in crashes during the period under consideration is an indication that the combination of aggressive enforcement and public enlightenment is yielding results and road users are complying accordingly.

“The Corps will keep on advancing steadily towards the realisation of its corporate mandate of creating a safer motoring environment and eradicating RTC on our roads.

This tempo will surely be sustained as all efforts have been adequately put in place to make the roads safer for all”.

The public is therefore called to assist the Corps by reporting any form of obstruction or emergency on the road to the spokesperson through the FRSC Toll-Free numbers 122.