TRAGEDY AS LORRY CRUSHES THREE IN EBONYI

Three persons including an unidentified woman were crushed to death at Aka - Eze end of the newly constructed Afikpo – Okigwe express way in Ebonyi state. The tragedy occurred as the Ebonyi State Command of the FRSC said it had impounded at least 134 motorcycles from January 1 to date over failure to comply with Commissions directive that motorcycle riders must wear safety helmets.

The accident which involved a saloon car heading towards Afikpo and a 911 Lorry heading towards Okigwe occurred at about 6.30PM. The car was completely smashed killing all the three occupants.

Though eye witness account had that the accident allegedly occurred as a result of reckless driving of the 911 driver, officials of the FRSC said it happened when the salon car driver lost control in a bid to negotiate a bend close to the scene of the accident, ran into the on coming lorry.

Sector Commander of the FRSC in Ebonyi EO Abbe (CC) revealed that the driver of the salon car lost control of the Car and ran into the Lorry. He revealed that the Commission has been enlightening people on the dangers of over speeding but unfortunately, a lot of people are not ready to comply. According to him, if the driver of the saloon car had reduced his speed, the accident would have been avoided.

Meanwhile, FRSC in Ebonyi State has said that it has impounded no fewer that 134 motorcycles since January 1, when it became mandatory for motorcycle operators to wear safety helmets, noting however that the State has recorded about 90% compliance since inception.

The Sector Commander also revealed that the Command has, set up a task force headed by the FRCS’s Head of Public Affairs in the State, Mr Egwu, with membership drawn from the Police, Civil Defence and the FRSC to monitor level of compliance.

He said that an enlightenment programme was mounted by the Commission prior to the effective date, and expressed the hope that the safety helmet introduction would go a long way in reducing carnage on the roads.