NIGERIA: FRSC Emphasizes Human Factors As Major Cause Of Road Accidents

By Balogun Arisekola Azeez, Kwara, Nigeria.

The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Muftau Irekeola has said that the human factor is the major cause of road crashes on the highway, with drivers largely responsible.

Irekeola made the statement during the annual Town Hall meeting, in preparation for the Ember Month Campaign, themed “Take

Responsibility For Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving.

“Whether we are drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians or passengers, the road are shared space and our safety depends on the collective responsibility we all uphold”.

“Every year, many lives are lost or forever changed due to Road Traffic Crashes (RTCS).

These tragedies do not just affect individuals; they ripple through families, workplace, and

communities.

“The pain of losing a loved one or the hardship of a serious injury is something no

one should endure, especially when many crashes are preventable,” he said.

The Sector Commander stressed that the leading cause of RTCS worldwide, including Nigeria, is over-speeding, distracted driving,

driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, failure to obey traffic rules, and poor road condition.

Also speaking, Hajiya Fatimah Popoola, State Commander Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), advised drivers to stay away from drugs and transporting drugs for customers.

Popoola said that NURTW has been supportive, saying that they always support them in tracking owners of drugs being transported to other parts of the state.

She urged drivers to always check passengers’ loads and messages sent to other areas of the state to ensure that it does not contain anything implicating.

“Just recently, a driver saw our vehicle and speed-off, in the process of running, he hit the road meridian, causing damages on the vehicle and was still arrested and charged,” the Commander said.

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, ably represented by the Alangua Owode, Alhaji Umar Sadiq, said that drivers should endeavour to abide by the rules of driving, to safe lives.

Sulu-Gambari appreciates the efforts of Road Safety in ensuring safe and smooth movement on the road, adding that as the year goes to an end, more needs to be done.

He said that Ilorin is a safe place convenient for all and sundry to live, stressing that the drivers should drive safe and be of good conduct.

the event is well attended by individuals and cooperate bodies among are Nigeria Police, Nigeria Immigration Service, Civil Defence, Nigeria Customs, Fire Service, transporters and Corps members.