The Sector Commander, Anna Attah, disclosed this while briefing stakeholders on the state of road safety in Taraba, to commemorate the 2026 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims in Jalingo, with the theme: “A Light That Unites Us,” and a global message, “Remember, Support, Act.”
Attah opined that the crashes were a result of excessive speeding and dangerous driving, warning that reckless behaviour on the roads continued to expose motorists and other road users to avoidable dangers.
Attah stated that behind every road traffic crash statistic is a human being, someone’s father, mother, husband, wife, child, brother, sister or friend, stressing that every life lost represents a dream cut short, a family thrown into mourning and a future that may never be fulfilled.
The FRSC commander explained that survivors of road crashes often endure long-term disabilities, psychological trauma, financial difficulties and painful memories, saying that many accidents could be prevented through responsible driving and strict compliance with traffic regulations.
According to her, more than 50 million people have lost their lives in road traffic crashes globally since the first recorded road death, while hundreds of millions have sustained injuries.
She said that national statistics showed that Nigeria recorded 10,617 road crashes in 2023, resulting in 5,081 deaths and 31,874 injuries, pointing out that in 2024 the country recorded 9,570 crashes, representing a 10 per cent decline, but fatalities increased by seven per cent to 5,421, while 31,154 persons sustained injuries.
She added that 10,446 crashes were recorded in 2025, claiming 5,289 lives and leaving 33,400 persons injured.
Attach explained that between January and September 2026, Nigeria recorded 7,156 crashes, resulting in 3,445 deaths and 22,292 injuries, stressing that the figures underscored the need for stronger road safety measures, particularly as the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030 targets a 50% reduction in road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.
She opined that excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking, distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, overloading, fatigue, poor vehicle maintenance and disregard for traffic signs and signals are major causes of road crashes.
According to her, “Road traffic crashes do not happen by accident alone. Many are linked to human errors and deliberate violations of traffic regulations. Every reckless decision on the road has the potential to extinguish a life and leave behind a family in perpetual sorrow.”
She called on government agencies to strengthen road safety policies and enforcement, while urging transport operators to prioritise the safety of passengers over profit and urging drivers to exercise discipline and responsibility, while passengers and pedestrians were encouraged to contribute to safer road use.
