The number of deadly traffic incidents that occur during night trips around the country has been criticized by Dauda Ali Biu, Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Following reports of two recent accidents that occurred early on March 4 and claimed 17 lives at Tashar Yari village along the Zaria-Kano Expressway and Fire Service Academy along the Yangoji-Gwagwalada expressway, the Corp Marshal voiced his displeasure and tasked commanding officers to step up enforcement, engage stakeholders, and strengthen advocacy campaigns.
According to the reports submitted by crash investigation teams of the Corps, the Tashan Yari village crash which occured 0736, involved a trailer overloaded with grains and 40 passengers were seated on top of the goods. The trailer which was on a night trip, en route Kano from AZ are, was said to have crashed due to wrongful overtaking, driving against legal speed limit as well as overloading of vehicle with goods and people. Out of the number, 12 victims were killed, while 28 sustained different levels of injuries.
The other accident which occurred around Yangoji-Gwagwalada expressway, at about 0435HRS, involving a J5 bus on a night trip that drove on a speed that was against prescribed limit on that route, crashed onto a broken down Trailer on the expressway, and exploded into flames.
As a result of the impact of the crash, the 5 victims were burnt beyond recognition. The Crash Investigation Report attributed the cause of the crash to Speed violation which led to loss of control.
You would recall that Dauda Biu had during his press briefing on the review of 2023 activities of the Corps decried the rate of fatal crashes that occur as a result of night trips and fragrant violation of legal speed limits on the highways and overloading of vehicles.
During that briefing, he highlighted some of the dangers associated with night trips such as poor visibility, fatigue, excessive speed and delayed post-crash response. He also cautioned against the risks associated with overloading of vehicles especially trailers and smaller trucks that load vehicles with goods, persons and animals.
“In view of the need to address this menace, the Corps Marshal has directed Commanding Officers to step up enforcement, stakeholders’ engagement, as well as enhance advocacy campaigns.”
