-Deborah Akinyosoye
No fewer than 140 people were killed in different road crashes in various parts of Ogun State between January and October 2024, PUNCH Metro gathered on Wednesday.
The Commandant General of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Seni Ogunyemi, disclosed this at a training for senior officers of the agency held in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Wednesday.
Ogunyemi noted that the casualties involved 110 adults and 30 children.
According to him, the majority of the crashes were caused by human errors.
He said, “As a point of reference, the total number of road traffic crash cases recorded by TRACE and the police from January to October 2024 in comparison with January to October 2023, shows that a total number of 334 crashes were recorded in 2024 out of which 508 adults and 30 children were injured.
“However, 110 adults and 30 children lost their lives within the same period. For the year 2023, 524 cases were recorded under the same period out of which 718 adults and 53 children were injured while 132 adults and 18 children lost their lives with human errors responsible for almost 90 per cent of the crashes recorded within the period under review.
He stressed that the road crash data recorded by the agency showed a decline in a year-on-year basis comparison to 2023.
Ogunyemi continued, “Comparing the quarter in review, there is a percentage decrease of 36.26 per cent in the number of cases. A noticeable decrease of 29.25 per cent in the number of adults injured was recorded while 43.2 per cent for children injured was noted. Adults who lost their lives also decreased by 33.33 per cent.
“In all, road crashes recorded in 10 months of both years, 2024 and 2023, witnessed a reduction of 36.26 per cent in the number of cases, 30.22 per cent and 18.67 per cent in the number of fatalities due to TRACE efforts in constant advocacy, rescue operations and enforcement.”
Reacting to the statistics, the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, urged the traffic officers to adopt digital methods in the management of traffic across the state.
The deputy governor stressed that the adoption of digital platforms would aid real-time reporting on traffic situations, simplify the traffic management process and enhance traffic data collection.
“We must focus on aligning our system in line with modern realities. This includes embracing innovation, fostering collaboration, and building trust with the public. Effective traffic management in today’s world requires more than enforcing compliance. It requires data-driven strategies.
“I challenged TRACE to lead in innovation. Technology provides a wealth of opportunities to redefine traffic management and data collection.
“You can collaborate with technology companies for innovative solutions such as digital platforms for reporting. I want you to look into the possibility of providing mobile apps that allow citizens to report traffic incidents in real-time,” Salako-Oyedele said.