TODAY’S VIEWPOINT FOCUSES ON THE NEED TO END INCESSANT ROAD CRASHES IN NIGERIA
The growing cases of road crashes on the nation’s highways have continued to cast a shadow over the nation’s development efforts.
Road accidents have been claiming lives and inflicting emotional, economic, and physical wounds that are often irreparable.
From the busy corridors of Lagos-Ibadan expressway to the winding lanes of Abuja-Kaduna and Benin-Ore highways, the narrative has remained largely the same.
According to data from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), thousands of Nigerians lose their lives annually in road crashes, while tens of thousands suffer varying degrees of injuries.
These figures, though alarming, barely scratch the surface of the human tragedies that unfold daily on our roads.
A closer look at the root causes reveals a disturbing combination of human error, infrastructural decay, weak regulatory enforcement, and institutional indifference.
Over-speeding, reckless driving, fatigue, poor vehicle maintenance, and disobedience to traffic rules are among the primary causes of these accidents.
Furthermore, many vehicles are no longer roadworthy, especially commercial buses and trucks.
These vehicles, often held together by makeshift repairs, ply long distances without thorough mechanical checks.
From brake failure to tyre bursts, and engine overheating, all of these have led to ghastly accidents that could have been prevented.
Another dimension to the road safety crisis is the state of Nigeria’s road infrastructure.
Potholes, narrow carriageways, lack of adequate signage and poor lighting of the expressways have created a hazardous environment for motorists and other road users.
It is also sad to note that at many motor parks, alcohol and other intoxicating substances are openly sold.
While alcohol may not be the leading cause of road crashes, its availability in motor parks raises concerns.
Selling alcoholic drinks within the premises where transport services are coordinated is not only irresponsible but also endangers lives.
The laxity in enforcement of traffic laws adds to incessant cases of road accidents.
In many instances, corrupt officials turn a blind eye in exchange for bribes, allowing overloaded vehicles and unlicensed drivers to proceed without consequence.
Checkpoints, instead of being points of safety checks, are sometimes reduced to extortion zones.
To check incessant road crashes, the federal and state governments must invest significantly in road rehabilitation and construction.
Safe, modern highways with proper markings, guardrails, and emergency lay-bys are critical in reducing accidents.
Intelligent transport systems (its), including speed limiters, traffic monitoring cameras, and digital enforcement tools, should be integrated to enhance compliance and accountability.
Also, there is an urgent need for the professionalization of driver training and licensing.
The current system must be overhauled to prioritize competence over convenience.
Driving schools should be properly accredited, while rigorous tests, both theoretical and practical, must be standardized nationwide.
Also, motor parks should be restructured under strict regulatory supervision.
The sale of intoxicating substances within or around transport terminals must be banned and routine health checks for drivers, especially those on long-haul trips, should be put in place.
Furthermore, road safety awareness campaigns must go beyond radio jingles.
In schools, markets and community halls, Nigerians must be educated to understand that road safety is a shared responsibility.
The FRSC and other relevant stakeholders must ensure that laws are enforced without prejudice or compromise.
Road users should be encouraged to report reckless drivers, while regular safety audits must be carried out on vehicles, roads, and transportation hubs.
The incessant road crashes in Nigeria are not acts of fate but symptoms of neglect.
Every life lost on the road is one too many, and the time to act is now.
As a nation striving for greatness, the nation must not allow its roads to continue as corridors of blood and sorrow.
In conclusion, the safety of our highways is not just a transportation issue, but that of a moral, economic, and national imperative.
