A total of 35 persons were said to have died in different degrees of auto crashes in Anambra State with 176 injured between January and May this year.

Disclosing the information to Journalists at his office in Awka, the Anambra State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Sunday Ajayi, said that the total number of deaths and injuries recorded may not be the exact number as some may have happened without their knowledge.

He called on road users to avoid over speeding, taking calls while driving and driving under the influence of alcohol saying the 60 percent of road accidents are caused by over speeding.

“Within January and May 2016, we have recorded 85 road crashes in Anambra State, out of which 26 were fatal; 35 people were killed in the crash, and 176 persons were injured.

“This report may not be comprehensive, because there maybe others that had happened without our knowledge and therefore not recorded,” he said.

Ajayi noted that there has been a reasonable reduction of road mishaps from the record of crashes in the state in 2015 adding that the command was working towards reducing the crash rates in the state subsequently.

According to him, the use of speed limiters which was recently proposed by the corps sector would help to reduces crashes, if adopted adding, “Accidents kill more these days than armed robbery”. He urged road users to avoid using second hand tires and always gauge their tires to ensure they are in good shape before plying the roads.

“Second hand tires may be cheap but they are death traps,” Ajayi maintained. The Sector Commander however solicited the support of the media to sensitise the people on the need to abide by highway codes and other road safety measures to ensure safety as life has no duplicate.

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