The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has disclosed that about 20 children have perished in road accidents across the country between December 19, 2013 to December 28, 2013 during this yuletide season. The road agency also revealed that about 75 children have suffered various degrees of injuries in such road mishaps in the same period under review.
This was made known in a statement released on Monday by the Corps Commander, Corps Public Education Officer, Jonas Agwu, which was posted on the Corps’ Facebook page.
According to Agwu, “available statistics on road crashes involving children during this year’s yuletide from 19th to 28th December, 2013, indicate that 20 children were killed and 75 others injured in various road crashes involving 239 children with 144 of them rescued alive by FRSC patrol operatives.”
He stressed in the statement that, “the FRSC has reiterated its warning to parents and other drivers who convey children on their vehicles, to ensure that children are appropriately restrained when travelling in a motor vehicle” adding that “children who are under 12 years should be restrained in the rear seats, in line with the provisions of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, because air bags can injure or kill young children travelling in front seats, in the event of a crash.”
Agwu further noted in the statement that, “one of the most effective measures to protect occupants from injury in the event of a crash is the fitment and use of seat-belts and child restraints. Restraints save lives and reduce injury severity – all vehicle occupants should be appropriately restrained when travelling in a vehicle.”
As a result of the above, the statement disclosed that, “the Corps has mandated its Commanding Officers to intensify enforcement of traffic rules and regulations bothering on child safety during the 2013 yuletide patrols which is slated to end on 12th January, 2014. Additional steps will be taken by FRSC operatives to conduct routine checks on vehicles conveying children to ensure that such children are properly positioned through restraints.”
Road accidents are mostly recorded in Nigeria during festive periods. This is the time most Nigerians travel home to celebrate the season with their families.
Do you have a story/gist for us? Kindly send to
aproko247@gmail.com
or call +2348055590141
or BB: 22F89BFE
Follow us on Twitter: @aproko247
Like us on facebook.com/aproko247
