By Adeyinka Adeniran
No fewer than 222 persons have lost their lives while 779 were injured in 304 recorded road crashes in Oyo State within 12 months.
The incidents, according to the Sector Commander, Mrs Rosemary Alo were recorded across the 33 local government areas of the state.
However, Alo said the reported numbers is a decline when compared with the reported cases in 2023.
Giving a comparative analysis, 304 crashes were recorded in 2024 as against 495 recorded in 2023.
She said, “779 injured as against 1,321 previous year, 222 died as against 270. About 1,795 involved as against 2,935 while 412 vehicles involved as against 794 as at Friday, 27th December, 2024.”
While acknowledging the efforts of the Command which had resulted in the reduction of the rate of accident on the road, the Sector Commander stressed the need for strict compliance with traffic rules.
She noted that despite the intensify of efforts in sensitizing people on dangers of dangerous driving, the Command is still craving and appealing to motorists and other road users to imbibe safety as a culture on the road.
“In as much we continue to sensitize the public on the danger of reckless driving, over speeding and driving with worn out tyres.
“These are the critical offences that we have noted contribute greatly to the crashes. In as much we intensify our efforts in sensitizing people on this dangers, we are craving or appealing to motorists and other road users to imbibe road culture.
“The positive attitude of the motorists and other road users will to a great extent reduce road crashes.
“At a time like this, you will find out that everybody’s in a haste to get to their various destination but this has been responsible for the various accidents that were recorded on our roads.
“If the motorists and the entire public imbibe the road culture, the present rate of crashes will be crashed further hence we are appealing to them to ensure that they adhere strictly to the various traffic rules”, she added.
