Most road accidents are caused by human factors: Minister

By: News Peddlers 

Accident used to illustrate the story

Mr. Saidu Alkali, Minister of Transportation, says statistics have revealed that over 90 percent of road traffic crashes (RTCs) in Nigeria were caused by human factors.

Mr. Alkali made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja during the Federal Road Safety Corps' (FRSC) 2024 annual safety manager retreat.

The minister mentioned human factors such as negligence, exhaustion, and failure to follow safety protocols.

He urged FRSC personnel to work with police to ensure a unified approach to road safety.

The minister stated, "Together, we can foster a safer, smarter, and more sustainable future for fleet management in Nigeria."

Mr Alkali said it was important to remind stakeholders that safety was a shared responsibility, and that it required all hands on deck.

"We must understand that we are here to save lives, reduce risks, and create a future in which technology and human ingenuity work in tandem.

"The road ahead may be difficult, but it is also filled with numerous opportunities.

"By embracing innovation and prioritising safety, we can make 2024 a watershed moment in driver management and fleet safety," he stated.

The FRSC corps marshal, Shehu Mohammed, emphasised in his remarks that safety managers were professionals who had a responsibility to their employers to ensure organisational advancement.

The FRSC head stated that the corps relied on them to maintain the highest level of professionalism.

"To achieve this, fleet operators must improve safety practices and ensure the comfort of their passengers and customers while adhering to traffic regulations.

"This also includes provisions from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

He stated that passengers and customers have the right to report any kind of unsatisfactory service to the FCCPC for action.

The head of the FRSC emphasised the importance of adhering to other Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme (RTSSS) regulations regarding efficient vehicle maintenance and appropriate passenger manifest administration.

"On the other hand, articulated vehicle operators must ensure proper cargo latching, whereas twist locks should be used for container trucks in transit to prevent fall off.

"Wet cargo operators must ensure the use of safety valves. Safety managers are therefore urged to treat these issues as critical in ensuring fleet safety," he said.

The FRSC boss believed that with a concerted effort and careful implementation of the recommended practices, crashes on Nigerian roads could be eliminated someday.

(NAN)