Road Crashes - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Salisu Sani Idris
Oct, Fri, 2024

Metro

Ministry, RTEAN move to reduce road crashes by 50%

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), has tasked transport workers to embrace the Pre and Post-Crash Initiative of the road transportation sector.

This is contained in a statement jointly signed by the association’s President, Musa Maitakobi and National Secretary, Mr Yusuf Adeniyi, on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Transportation and stakeholders, aims to reduce road traffic crashes and ensure victims receive attention quickly.

It also seeks to ensure that private and commercial vehicles acquire lifesaving tools and skills in accordance with the National Road Traffic Regulation (NRTR) 2012 and the Nigerian Highway Code.

Maitakobi said the move would ensure the fulfilment of the dictate of the United Nations Decade of Action of Road Safety 2021-2030, which aims at reducing death due to Road Traffic Crashes by 50 per cent before the year 2030.

He lamented that road traffic crashes and accidents claimed thousands of lives and caused varying degrees of bodily harm to many people annually in Nigeria.

He noted that on many occasions, victims of road accidents are being left unattended at the point of crash, thereby reducing their chances of survival.

According to Maitakobi, many of the survivors are made to pay huge sum of money for their medical and emergency treatment.

” In a bid to address this problem, the Federal Ministry of Transportation in collaboration with stakeholders in the transportation sector have commenced the implementation of the Pre and Post-Crash Initiative for the Road Transportation Sector in Nigeria.”

“RTEAN empowered by its establishing Act, is mandating all commercial transport vehicles (inter and intra state) to ensure the safety and security of all passengers and commuters.

“The association direct all commercial vehicles to register their vehicles under the Pre and Post-Crash Initiative for the Road Transportation Sector in Nigeria, especially during this festive period.

“This is to ensure that all passengers and commuters are well-protected and secured while in transit through the benefits attached to the Pre and Post-Crash Initiative for the Road Transportation Sector in Nigeria”.

He said the association was partnering with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police Force and Directorate of Road Traffic Services (VIO), to ensure maximum compliance.

The President warned that any commercial vehicle that does not comply with the directive by November 2024 shall be arrested and fined.

“RTEAN shall also advocate through all relevant mediums that members of the public should not patronise any unregistered vehicle for their own safety and security,” he said.

Maitakobi said that under the new arrangement N1.5 million death benefit and N1 million medical/emergency treatment coverage would be paid to each occupant of the registered vehicle. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

Philip Daniel Yatai
Oct, Fri, 2024

Defence/Security

FRSC seeks stakeholders’ collaboration for effective nationwide traffic management

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By Ibironke Ariyo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has called for collaboration with stakeholders on effective traffic management to reduce road crashes and promote safety on Nigerian roads.

Speaking to newsmen after the inauguration of a National Road Safety Advisory Council (NARSAC) at the Presidential villa, on Friday in Abuja, FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed emphasised the need for collective action.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NARSAC includes six governors, key ministers, and other stakeholders, with a focus on reducing road fatalities across the country.

Mohammed said that the corps had embarked on campaigns in motor parks and public places to promote a safe driving culture across the country.

He said that there was a need for commuters and transport unions to partner in preventing road crashes and ensuring safer travels at all cost.

According to him, road crashes have declined, but the numbers remain unacceptably high; therefore, commuters and transport unions must redouble their awareness and prevention initiatives.

“Commuters must not be quiet when any driver is endangering their lives by violating traffic rules and regulations.

“If you see something, say something. Passengers can do much in reducing road crashes and save lives but what we discover is that more often than not, passengers keep quiet.

“If you are in a bus or in a car and the driver is speeding, you owe it as a duty to raise your voice; but what we see is the opposite, passengers do not talk.

“At times, other passengers will even silence the one raising the alarm. This is unfortunate, life has no duplicate. We should all be proactive in ensuring that we mitigate road crashes.

“Attitudinal change is also crucial for road safety. Transport unions must lead by example in preventing overloading and alcohol-impaired driving,”he maintained.

The FRSC boss said that road crashes had been gradually and steadily declining in the last one month adding that the corps would continually sensitise the motoring public on the proper use of the highways to reduce crashes.

“Although we’re seeing a steady decline, road crashes and victim numbers remain unacceptably high.”

“There is still much more work to be done in terms of awareness, sensitisation and infrastructure to help in ensuring mitigation of this menace called traffic crashes on our roads.

“We will continually visit motor parks to dissuade drivers from taking alcohol or any substance capable of affecting their moods and psyches.

“We will also go to the grassroots to engage the traditional rulers and community leaders on ways to educate their people on measures to take to avoid road crashes,”he said.

The corps marshal urged motorists, especially commercial drivers, to adhere to traffic rules, avoid overloading, and refrain from using phones while driving and other factors bedevilling road safety in the country.

Speaking on the newly inaugurated council, Mohammed believed that the NARSAC marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s road safety management, paving the way for the swift implementation of the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy (NRSS).

The FRSC boss, who is the secretary of the advisory council described the strategy as the country’s answer to the global call for safer roads, aiming to reduce the alarming number of road crashes and fatalities in Nigeria.

“In essence, the NARSAC establishment is a crucial step towards achieving the NRSS’s objectives, which include improving road design standards, enhancing non-motorised transport initiatives, and strengthening road safety frameworks.

“With the council’s guidance, FRSC can move closer to realising its vision and mission of safer roads and reduced fatalities across the country,”he said.(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza