FRSC Reveals Alarming Statistics
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced a concerning increase in road traffic crashes across Nigeria, with a total of 7,715 incidents recorded between January and September 2025. This figure represents a 10.04% rise compared to the 7,011 crashes reported during the corresponding period in 2024. The Corps also disclosed that 3,915 lives were lost in these accidents, an 11.55% increase from the 3,811 fatalities in the previous year. Additionally, 24,674 persons sustained varying degrees of injuries, reflecting a 10.28% increase from the 22,373 injured in 2024.
These statistics were revealed by the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, during the National Town Hall Meeting and Ember Months Road Safety Campaign Flag-Off held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Focus on Distracted Driving and Human Factors
The theme for this year's campaign is 'Take Responsibility for Your Safety; Stop Distracted Driving,' highlighting the FRSC's focus on human factors as primary contributors to road crashes. Corps Marshal Mohammed attributed the rise in incidents to various human elements, including:
- Mobile phone usage while driving
- Eating or drinking behind the wheel
- Emotional stress
- Drug and alcohol influence
- Speeding
- Driver fatigue
He emphasized that 'Distracted driving has evolved into one of the most prevalent risk behaviours on our highways,' and urged road users to exercise caution, discipline, and vigilance.
FRSC's Strategic Interventions
In response to the escalating figures, the FRSC outlined several measures being implemented to curb road crashes, particularly during the 'Ember Months' – the last quarter of the year known for increased road travel and accidents. These initiatives include:
- Deployment of a mobile application for reporting reckless driving
- Intensified public enlightenment campaigns
- Community-based interventions to address human factors
- Mass deployments of personnel
- Free vehicle service checks
- Motor park rallies
The Corps Marshal reiterated the FRSC's commitment to ensuring a safer motoring environment through intensified patrols, enforcement, and public awareness.
Regional Disparities and Call for Responsibility
While national figures show an increase, some regions have demonstrated improvements. For instance, Rivers State recorded 15 deaths, 51 injury cases, and 47 road crashes between January and September 2025. When compared to 2024, these figures represent a 35.7% decrease in fatalities and a 37.5% decrease in road crash-related injuries, which Mohammed attributed to improved emergency response and road safety awareness in the state.
The FRSC continues to advocate for collective responsibility, stressing that road safety is a shared duty among drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike.
5 Comments
Africa
Seeing Rivers State's improvement is encouraging, showing that targeted efforts can work, but the national trend still indicates a broader systemic issue beyond just driver behavior.
Habibi
These 'campaigns' are useless without strict enforcement. Nothing will change.
Muchacho
While the increase in fatalities is alarming and individual responsibility is key, the government also needs to invest heavily in better road design and maintenance to truly make a difference.
Coccinella
10% increase? Clearly, their strategies aren't working. Time for real action.
Katchuka
Acknowledging human factors like speeding and fatigue is crucial, but we also need to consider the economic pressures that push commercial drivers to overwork and neglect vehicle maintenance.