Yuletide: Nine killed, 76 injured in 21 auto crashes in Edo

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Nine persons were killed and 76 person sustained varying degrees of injuries in 21 auto crashes recorded in Edo State during the yuletide period between 19 and 28 December, 2014.

The crashes involved a total of 214 people and 42 vehicles in the period under review.

The State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Oluwasusi Familoni, who disclosed this on Tuesday in Benin during an interview with journalists, said that most of the road traffic crashes were due to speed violation and lose of control of vehicles.

He however disclosed that no life was lost in the only accident recorded on Christmas day at Abudu, located along Benin-Asaba highway.

Familoni further disclosed that a total of 71 offenders were prosecuted in two mobile courts sitting in the state during the same period, with 67 of them convicted and four discharged.

According to the Corps sector commander, the major offences committed by the offenders were lack of drivers’ licences, speed violation and over loading.
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“We started our Operation Zero Tolerance to Crashes on Dec 19 and it will end Jan 19, 2015. The message is obey road traffic rules so as to ensure safety on our highways,” Familoni said.