By Ibironke Ariyo
The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Malam Shehu Mohammed, has issued a sweeping policy directive aimed at reversing the rising trend of Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) across the country.
Mohammed, who spoke to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, said recent crash data revealed a disturbing pattern that required urgent, decisive and measurable action by all commands of the corps.
According to him, analysis of the 2024–2025 crash data showed a 9.2 per cent increase in total crashes, a 10.5 per cent rise in serious crashes and a 17.5 per cent increase in minor crashes, despite a marginal 2.4 per cent decline in fatalities.
The FRSC boss noted that while the slight reduction in deaths was encouraging, it remained fragile and non-structural, warning that the overall trend pointed to deeper systemic failures.
“The data is unambiguous. We are dealing with a crisis of exposure, weak compliance, declining deterrence and persistent indiscipline, not an absence of laws or awareness,” he said.
Mohammed announced that in response, the corps would implement a set of policy directions as standing operational orders nationwide.
He said all FRSC commands had been directed to transition from routine patrols to intelligence-led, risk-based enforcement, with deployments driven by crash-prone corridors, high-risk time bands and specific vehicle categories.
As part of this shift, he disclosed that Crash Intelligence Desks would be established at all sector commands to conduct weekly hotspot analyses and ensure mandatory deployment to the top 20 per cent of high-risk corridors.
The Corps Marshal further declared a zero-tolerance enforcement regime on what he described as the “Big Five” traffic offences responsible for more than 70 per cent of fatal and serious crashes.
These, he listed, include speed violation, dangerous driving, drunk or drug-impaired driving, wrong-way driving and overloading.
He said daily radar-based speed enforcement, intensified night and weekend operations against driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as well as strict sanctions for repeat and uncooperative offenders, would be enforced nationwide.
Mohammed also elevated speed management from routine enforcement to a national operational priority, stressing that full compliance with the installation of speed limit devices on all commercial vehicles would be strictly enforced.
He added that the policy would include re-certification audits and public sanctioning of non-compliant fleet operators.
On public education, the Corps Marshal said the FRSC would move away from generic awareness campaigns to behaviour-change communication, with targeted messaging for commercial drivers, private motorists, motorcyclists and fleet operators.
He explained that the approach would leverage the National Traffic Radio, outdoor sensitisation campaigns such as billboards anchored on real-world consequences, as well as community-level engagement.
Mohammed also announced that crash outcomes would now form a central part of the Corps’ Command Accountability Framework.
Under the new system, he said quarterly performance scorecards would track crash reduction, fatality reduction and enforcement intensity, with recognition for measurable improvements and accountability for unexplained spikes.
While reaffirming the corps’ commitment to post-crash response, the FRSC boss cautioned against complacency, noting that gains already recorded must be protected and deepened.
He said faster response times, refresher training for rescue teams and stronger partnerships with hospitals would be pursued to sustain and further reduce fatalities.
“The rising number of crashes is not an act of fate; it is a failure of compliance. Where discipline collapses, enforcement must rise.
“All commands had been directed to treat the policy as a standing operational order, declaring that the era of routine patrols without measurable impact was over.
“Our mandate remains clear: prevent crashes, enforce compliance and save lives,” the Corps Marshal said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Yakubu Uba
