The Kwara State sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Stephen Dawulung, has stated that the command recorded 503 deaths and crashes in 2023.

Dawulung disclosed this in an appraisal of the activities of the corps from January to December 2023 demanded by City and Crime.

He said the state was able to record a reduction in the number of fatalities and road traffic crashes recorded within the period.

“Road traffic crashes within Kwara State reduced from 348 in 2022 to 307 in 2023, representing 11.78% decrease while fatality figures also dropped from 231 in 2022 to 196 in 2023 representing 15.15% decrease,” he said.

The sector commander said the achievements were the commitment in the pursuit of Goal 1 of the 2023 FRSC corporate strategic goals which stipulated 5% reduction in Road Traffic Deaths.

He also said in December 2023, road traffic crash figures reduced to 26 compared to 41 recorded in December 2022, representing 36.58% decrease, while fatality also reduced from 14 in December 2022 to 11 in December 2023 representing 21.43%. decrease.

Dawulung added that the achievement was also connected to the “operation zero tolerance” end-of-year special patrol operations from 15 December 2023 which would end in January 15.

“The Yuletide period heralded the increase in deployment of personnel and equipment as well as the establishment of Help Areas for prompt response to road traffic crashes among others by the command to contain the spike in vehicular traffic,” he said.