No fewer than 3,400 people were killed in road crashes across Nigeria between January and September 2025, the Federal Road Safety Corps has revealed.

During the same period, 22,162 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a total of 6,858 reported crashes.

The statistics were disclosed by Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed on Monday in Abuja at a press conference marking the official flag-off of the 2025 Ember Months Public Enlightenment and Sensitisation Campaign.

“3,433 persons were killed and 22,162 persons injured out of a total of 6,858 reported road crashes between January and September, 2025.

“The records also showed that the major causes of those crashes were linked to driver fatigue, overloading of persons, conveyance of persons in haulage vehicles and travelling with fuel in plastic containers.

“Apparently, driver behaviour is a fundamental element in determining safety on our highways. It is expected that the 2025 end-of-year campaign will create the needed awareness and sensitisation for drivers to take up the issue of safety more seriously,” he noted.

Themed “Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving,” this year’s campaign is focused on reducing the spike in crashes that typically occur during the festive season, between December 15 and January 15.

The Corps Marshal said the campaign aims to intensify advocacy and sensitisation efforts, particularly around driver responsibility, which has been identified as the root cause of most accidents.

To curb these incidents, the FRSC outlined several strategic measures, including deploying personnel and Special Marshals along major highways and high-risk corridors, conducting free vehicle checks, holding motor park rallies, and organising town hall meetings with transport unions and stakeholders.

“These measures, in addition to our routine enforcement operations, are designed to raise awareness against reckless driving usually associated with the ember months.

“It is also expected that the implementation of these measures will significantly reduce the percentage of occurrence of road crashes and drive down road crash-related deaths and injuries,” Mohammed said.

In addition to enforcement, the corps has made progress in other areas of road safety.

Mohammed highlighted improvements in driver training through closer collaboration with driving schools and fleet operators, alongside the reactivation of mobile courts and road stop-overs to address infractions such as overloading and speeding.

He also spoke about the relaunch of the FRSC Annual Lecture Series to spark national dialogue on road safety as a public health issue, noting that the initiative has provided “critical perspectives on global best practices.”

Mohammed also disclosed that plans are in advanced stages to host an International Conference on Road Crash Victims in Africa, scheduled for November 16–18, 2025.

The conference, being organised in partnership with the KRSD Road Safety Foundation, will focus on improving post-crash care in line with the fifth pillar of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety.

“I urge all Nigerians to continue to support the Corps as we strive to create a safer motoring environment for our dear nation,” he said, formally declaring the 2025 Ember Months Campaign open. (PUNCH)