The Public Relations Officer of the Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, (TRACE), Mr. Babatunde Akinbiyi, has said that eleven persons have died and 44 others sustained injuries in various road crashes in Ogun State since lockdown commenced between April 4 and May 8.
Akinbiyi explained that during the period, 41 road crashes involving 15 private cars, 11 private buses, 18 commercial cars, and two motorcycles.
He added that 12 commercial buses, four medium trucks, and five heavy trucks were also involved in crashes during the period. He pointed out that of the reported 41 crashes; eight of them were fatal, 20 serious while the remaining 13 were minor.
He stated: “During this period 212 persons were involved in road traffic crashes, out of which 44 persons (30 males, 14 females) sustained various degrees of injuries, 11 persons (10 adult males, 1 female child) were killed and 157 persons were rescued unhurt.
“46.31 percent of the crashes were caused by excessive speed, 24.40 percent by dangerous driving, 8.64 percent by bad tyres, 7.28 percent by driving against traffic, and 13.37 percent by other causes. The above report was witnessed by TRACE Corps in areas covered only.”
The TRACE spokesman stated that the command apprehended 345 road traffic offenders during the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown ordered by the Federal and Ogun State governments. Akinbiyi reiterated that the resolve to reduce deaths and injuries on all roads in the state was being pursued vigorously and relentlessly such that no traffic offender shall go unpunished.
He said that the TRACE Corps Commander, Seni Ogunyemi appreciated the unflinching support of the Traffic Whistle Blowers for their prompt information on crashes in the state. He appealed to the public to obey all traffic rules as well as stay-at-home order and remember that safety remained the responsibility of all road users.