Awka — EIGHTY-nine lives were lost in Anambra State through motor accidents between January and June this year, the sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Mr Ayobami Omiyale, has said.

Addressing newsmen in Awka, Omiyale said the figure was lower than 104 deaths recorded within the same period last year.

Records 224 road accidents

According to him, a total of 224 road crashes were recorded in the state within the same period, which is higher than 215 recorded between January and June last year.

He said of the 224 accidents, there were 96 injuries compared to 169 injuries recorded last year within the same period.

Nabs 12,422 traffic offenders

The sector commander explained that altogether, 11,324 traffic offenders were apprehended in 2009, compared to 7,057 apprehended the previous year, while 12,422 offences were committed, which showed an increase of 50% from that of the previous year.

Omiyale said: "When I arrived the state, the traffic situation was in total chaos. Drivers were driving dangerously and did not stop for road marshal and sometimes injuring them.

"Road fatality is no respecter of persons and that is why the enforcement cuts across all segments of the society. Our business is to ensure that people get to their destinations safely.

"It is the responsibility of the FRSC to reform, inform and conform to road usage. We have got the consent of the stakeholders to adopt strategies to curtail traffic offences and we are also partnering with the judiciary in this regard."

Seeks government's assistance

He solicited the assistance of the state government to enable the Corps meet its needs, adding that he had already sent the request to the state governor who had promised to look into it