By Okechukwu Onuegbu
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Saturday, said it impounded 332 vehicles for various offences in Anambra State from January to November, 2023.
The corps also arrested a total of 1,953 road safety offenders for committing 2,119 offences within eleven months in Anambra State.
The Sector Commander, FRSC, Anambra State, Mr Adeoye Irelewuyi, who disclosed this at a media parley, added that the command recorded a total of 97 road crashes across the 21 Local Government Areas in Anambra State from January to November, 2023.
According to him, out of the 97 road crashes, 820 persons were involved but 25 of the crashes were fatal resulting into death of 35 persons while 270 people got injured.
"This shows there is a significant improvement and reduction when compared with 2022 records where we had a total of 132 RTCs involving 1,048 persons, 42 of which were fatal, claiming the lives of 64 persons and injuring 306 persons.
"In the face of security threats and high risks to personnel safety, the Anambra Sector Command remains undaunted in its efforts to drastically reduce RTCs and create safer motoring environment. It has arrested 1,953 offenders with 2,119 offences from January to 30th November, 2023 and impounded 332 vehicles.
"This also shows an improvement when compared to the year 2022 where we recorded 1,381 offenders arrest with 1,493 offences and 382 impoundments. The Command will continue to strive harder to ensure the achievement of the Corps’ corporate strategic goals as well as the United Nations target of reduction of RTC by 50% by the year 2030," he added.
He further maintained that they were battle ready to ensure free flow of traffic in December and New Year in Anambra State as they would deploy about 1000 personnel, including the regular and special marshals for traffic enforcement and control across the State.
"I the light of the above therefore, the Command is poised to commence the Operation Zero Tolerance to RTC which starts nationwide on the 15th of December 2023 and is expected to run through 15th January, 2024.
"Similarly we are discussing the possibility of some emergency repairs of critical portions of the expressway at Onitsha, Owerri road, Bridge head and other points as palliative measures so as to ensure free traffic flow.
"The State Command has also received the delivery of a brand new 70 ton Tow truck (Juggernaut) from our national HQ. This will greatly assist in ensuring prompt removal of obstructions and reduce gridlock."