Anambra Stakeholders Raise Alarm Over Rising Fatalities On Highways

Anambra Stakeholders Raise Alarm Over Rising Fatalities On HighwaysResidents of Anambra State have expressed growing concerns about the increasing number of road crashes in the state. Many are placing the blame on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Anambra State Road Traffic Maintenance Agency (ARTMA). Some residents believe that ARTMA’s aggressive enforcement of traffic laws often pushes drivers into risky situations, leading to accidents.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

A frequent issue raised is the abandonment of broken-down trucks on highways for days without removal or proper warning signs. These unattended vehicles often become hazards for unsuspecting drivers, leading to tragic accidents.

Recently, a young lawyer, identified as Okechukwu, lost his life in a road crash along the Awka-Enugu Expressway. The accident occurred when his vehicle collided with an abandoned stationary truck at night, causing his car to somersault into a drainage. Okechukwu had just left the mortuary where he deposited his late mother’s remains and was driving home when the accident occurred.

A relative, Ugo, recounted the tragic event: “He thought the truck was moving, but by the time he realized it wasn’t, it was too late. His vehicle hit the truck and veered into the gutter.” The lawyer had recently welcomed a newborn with his wife, whom he married earlier this year, making the loss even more devastating.

Many residents, including journalist Jude Atupulazi, criticized the traffic authorities for failing to remove the abandoned truck that caused the fatal crash. Atupulazi condemned the practice of leaving broken-down vehicles on the road without caution signs, warning that such negligence leads to preventable deaths. He also highlighted another abandoned truck near Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, calling for urgent action to avoid further tragedies.

Other residents, like Mr. Chukwuma Nwaeze, believe that both the FRSC and ARTMA are to blame, but place more responsibility on ARTMA, given that it serves the state directly. He criticized the agency for prioritizing the towing of vehicles for financial gain rather than removing dangerous obstructions from the road.

Responding to the criticisms, Joyce Alexander, the Sector Commander of the FRSC in Anambra, acknowledged the challenge of covering all roads in the state. She expressed condolences to the family of the deceased lawyer and explained that excessive speed likely contributed to the crash. Alexander urged residents to collaborate with the FRSC by reporting road hazards and crashes through their toll-free emergency number.

She noted that although the abandoned truck could not be towed due to its heavy load, reflective tapes had been used to warn oncoming traffic until it could be safely removed. However, this incident has reinforced calls for improved road safety measures in Anambra State to prevent more avoidable deaths.