NEARLY 7_000 people died and more than 20_000 were injured in a total of 12_000 road accidents recorded in Nigeria last year. The number of deaths recorded was up almost 15% from the 1999 figure, to 6_797 from 5_921. The number of people injured in accidents rose to 20_555 from 18_001 a year earlier, a report said. Road accidents occur with a sickening regularity in the West African state, because of overcrowded and badly-maintained roads, lack of vehicle maintenance and dangerous driving. – AFP