FRSC Corp Shehu Mohammed
Nigeria has recorded a notable decline in road crash fatalities compared to previous years, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, shared the update during a press briefing held on Monday in Abuja to launch the 2025 Ember Months Road Safety Sensitisation Campaign.
He highlighted that the ember months—typically marked by heightened travel, congested roads, and an uptick in accidents—necessitate increased public awareness. The campaign, he said, is an annual effort by the Corps to intensify road safety education during the high-risk travel season.
“We recognise that this period is often accompanied by a surge in crashes and fatalities, which is why we continue to push for preventive education,” Mohammed explained.
He commended the media for their consistent collaboration in promoting road safety, describing them as “critical partners” in the national effort to change driver behaviour.
The campaign’s theme, “Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving,” places a spotlight on driver-related causes of road crashes.
“This theme was carefully chosen to address human errors behind the wheel. Data consistently show that drivers remain the most influential factor in road accidents,” the Corps Marshal stated.
Between January and September 2025, the FRSC recorded 6,858 crashes, with 3,433 fatalities and 22,162 injuries nationwide.
Mohammed attributed many of these incidents to driver fatigue, overloading, unsafe passenger conveyance in haulage vehicles, and the transportation of fuel in unsafe containers like plastic jerrycans.
He also cited other dangerous behaviours including speeding, impaired driving, road rage, and neglect of seat belt use.
“The focus this year is to deepen understanding of the human element in road safety. Compliance with traffic regulations must become second nature for all road users,” he said.
Mohammed assured that both enforcement and public education would be intensified throughout the festive period and beyond, urging motorists to embrace responsibility, patience, and discipline while driving.
He concluded with a clear message: “If we all play our part and follow the rules, we can continue to drive down the numbers and save lives.”
