The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra State has warned motorists to avoid reckless driving during the busy ember months in order not to turn festive celebrations into tragedies.
The Sector Commander, FRSC Anambra Sector Command, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, gave the warning in Awka during a media briefing to mark the 2026 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims under the theme, “A Light That Unites Us,” with “Remember, Support, Act” as the slogan for the decade.
She dismissed superstitious beliefs that ember months carry unusual dangers, explaining that the increase in road crashes during the period is largely connected to heightened commercial activities, travelling and movement of goods and people within and outside the state.
“Ember months are not mysterious months. They are simply periods when too many activities take place simultaneously, leading to increased movement of people and goods.
“We want our people to be careful so that we can all remain alive to celebrate Christmas and enter the New Year,” she said.
Asekhauno charged motorists to avoid excessive speeding, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and install speed-limiting devices to reduce the risk of fatal accidents.
She expressed concerns over night journeys, stating that poor visibility and delays in accessing emergency medical services make road crashes more deadly.
According to her, night journey victims who sustain serious injuries, stand a higher risk of losing their lives when medical assistance is delayed while motorists who experience vehicle breakdowns at night find it difficult to get immediate assistance from roadside mechanics and tyre repairers.
She identified dangerous driving habits, especially speeding and disregard for traffic rules, as major factors responsible for persistent road crashes, despite ongoing public enlightenment and enforcement by the Command.
The FRSC Boss further urged motorists to slow down, obey traffic regulations and take responsibility for their safety bearing in mind that their loved ones are waiting for their safe return.
The week-long activities of 2026 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, began on Monday, November ninth, will end on Sunday, November fifteenth 2026, and provided the opportunity to amplify the global voice of road victims and their bereaved families while building on existing strong collaboration.
The devastation that road traffic crashes wreak on victims, their families, friends and communities is incalculable; which made United Nations to set aside third week of November as World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
A data presented by the Corps Marshal of FRSC, Shehu Muhammed and made available to newsmen in the last four years, revealed the urgent need to prioritize and reinforce collective responsibilities in making road safer for every road user particularly the most vulnerable.
“In 2023, Nigeria recorded 10,617 road traffic crashes which tragically claimed 5,081 lives and injured 31,874 persons. A significant proportion of these victims were children and youth.
“In 2024, while there was a 10% reduction in the number of crashes with 9,570 incidents, fatalities increased by 7% totalling 5,421, and injuries slightly decreased to 31,154.
“In 2025, 10,446 incidents were recorded, with fatalities of 5,289 persons and 33,400 persons injured. Just between January till September 2026, 7,156 incidents recorded so far. 3,445 deaths while 22,292 persons were injured”, he said.###
