The Abia State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Meshach Jatau, on Friday said the state had recorded 33 accidents between January and November 14, this year.
Jatau made the disclosure at the Aba Park while speaking to drivers at a sensitization programme organized by the state Ministry of Transport, in conjunction with the FRSC, to mark its Safety Week.
He said out of the 33 accidents, 26 persons died while 257 were injured, hence the need to re-emphasise the importance of road safety.
Jatau said that the number of road accidents in the state was high, stressing that there was the need to reduce it.
He said that deaths from accidents increased the number of out-of-school children, which also increased social vices, and charged the drivers to drive with their loved ones always in their minds.
In his remarks, the Abia commissioner for transport, Kingsley Image, said that the state was working to ensure a zero accident record during the yuletide.
He charged drivers in the state to be law-abiding, keep to their lanes and drive safely during the Christmas season, for the safety of all road users.
“The state is working to ensure it has a zero accident record by January 2019.
“Our appeal is to all drivers in the state to change their tyres, service their vehicles and avoid drinking before driving during this period,’’ he said.
The commissioner said that the sensitization programme was designed to enlighten new drivers and remind old ones of what they needed to know, to work and live beyond the Christmas season, without accidents.
He charged the drivers to imbibe the culture of discipline and driving with caution to be alive for their families, who would need them after the season.
