By Oluchi Omai
Amidst the persistent hike in the cost of living experienced by Nigerians, the need for road transport safety is a major concern.
Road transport users while complaining about the increased cost of premium motor spirit (PMS) have lamented the increased rate of road accidents experienced daily across different parts of the country.
Some road crashes have been tied to the dilapidated state of the roads in some parts of the country while others are a result of the recklessness of the road user and sometimes the explosion of PMS-laden tankers.
Further findings have revealed that most road mishaps result from disregard for road safety regulations.
According to the Corps Marshal of Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed while deeply commiserating with the Government of Jigawa state and the families of the victims of Jigawa State Tanker Inferno stated that the unfortunate incident highlights the need to adhere to safety regulations at all times, he urged all road users to exercise caution, and always await Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC emergency and rescue operatives to handle any of such emergencies.
He further stated that the corps will continue to advise the public that whenever an incident of this nature occurs, they should endeavour to stay very far from the tanker because it carries highly inflammable products which can lead to severe injuries and deaths.
From reports available, the fire was ignited when the villagers rushed out to scoop fuel from the detached tanker of a DAF vehicle that crashed on that route about an hour after the crash.
The lone crash which had no casualties as the driver and conductor survived without any injuries, occurred when the DAF Tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit attempted to dodge a speed bump while on a high speed. The resultant impact of the driver’s action while on high speed, detached the tanker from the body of the articulated vehicle.
As a result, the Corps Marshal has issued instant orders to Commanding Officers at the various tank farms to expedite action towards ensuring that all tankers observe the minimum safety standards before they are allowed to convey inflammable substances.
The year 2024 has numerous reports of road crashes across the country.
Here is a report summary on road transport data for the first quarter of 2024.
Report Summary on Road Transport Data for the first quarter (Q1) of 2024
The report on road transport for the first quarter of 2024 provides important data on road traffic accidents, fatalities, and injuries in Nigeria. The information is sourced from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and verified by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Below are the key highlights and insights from the report.
Key Highlights:
Total Road Traffic Crashes: In Q1 2024, a total of 2,662 road traffic crashes were recorded. This shows a slight decrease of 2.02% from the previous quarter (Q4 2023), which recorded 2,717 crashes, and a 3.00% decrease compared to Q1 2023, which had 2,733 crashes.
Severity of Crashes:
Serious crashes accounted for the majority, with 1,715 incidents.
Fatal crashes totaled 693, while minor crashes stood at 254.
All three categories saw a decrease in numbers compared to the previous quarter.
Fatalities and Injuries:
1,471 people were killed, with men making up the majority (79.50%), while women accounted for 20.50%.
A total of 8,659 people were injured in road crashes, with 77.90% of the injured being men, and 22.10% being women.
Vehicles Involved:
A total of 3,952 vehicles were involved in road crashes during Q1 2024, representing a decrease of 5.80% from the previous quarter (Q4 2023).
Causes of Accidents:
The major causes of road accidents were identified, including:
Speed violations, dangerous overtaking, and wrongful overtaking were among the leading causes.
Other factors included tyre bursts, mechanical failures, and driver fatigue.
State-by-State Breakdown:
Highest Crashes: States like Kaduna, Ogun, and Nasarawa recorded the highest number of crashes and fatalities. For example, Kaduna had 180 crash cases, leading to 171 fatalities, while Ogun recorded 200 crashes, resulting in 98 deaths.
Lowest Crashes: Some states, such as Zamfara and Bayelsa, reported much fewer incidents, with Zamfara having only 13 crashes and Bayelsa 21.
Vehicle Types:
Cars accounted for the highest number of vehicles involved in crashes, followed by minibuses and motorcycles.
Commercial vehicles were involved in the majority (71.02%) of crashes, while private vehicles made up 27.46%.
Conclusion:
The report highlights a decrease in the total number of road traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities compared to previous quarters. However, the number of deaths and injuries remains significant, especially due to speeding and dangerous driving behaviors. The report underscores the need for increased road safety measures and awareness campaigns to reduce fatalities and improve overall road transport safety in Nigeria.