Jos metropolis records 32 accidents, 5 deaths in 6 months – FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Plateau on Thursday confirmed 32 accidents and five deaths in Jos metropolis between January and June.

The Sector Commander, Mr Alphonsus Gideon, said this in an interview with our reporter in Jos on Thursday.

Gideon said that most of the accidents were caused by speeding and reckless driving, noting that no fewer than 55 persons sustained injury while five other persons died in the accidents.

“This numbers are just for Jos city and environs not the whole state, the city is supposed to be almost accident free, but sadly we have some drivers who do not obey the speed limits,” he said.

Gideon said that heavy duty vehicles accounted for some of the accidents which, most times, he said “occurred around the Hill Station/Polo Roundabout and were usually very serious”.

He said that the road was a slope which usually posed danger to heavy duty vehicles “when they don’t observe speed limits”.

The sector commander said that if alternative routes or height barriers were provided for heavy duty trucks it might “reduce the number of accidents on such volatile road.

“It is sad that most of the accidents recorded usually occur along the Hill Station/Polo Roundabout Road, the accidents along that road usually causes a lot of damage and claimed lives.

“The slope on that road covers a long stretch and poses a danger for heavy vehicles, the moment the drivers do not obey speed limit, they find it hard to control the vehicles which results in accidents.

“We have mapped out alternative routes to the state government to implement for heavy trucks so that they can use, hopefully something will be done in that regard”.

Gideon urged the motoring public to be friendly on the road and allow other road users and pedestrians to have access to enough space on the road to avoid accidents.

He stated that the corps would not relent in ensuring accident-free roads to reduce carnage on highways within the state.