Recently, two children and seven adults died after a truck conveying a 20 feet container fell on top of a commercial bus in the Ojuelegba area of Lagos. Further investigations revealed that the bus was picking up passengers when the truck lost control and fell over the side of the bridge.
A day after, again in Lagos, a truck rammed into a nearby car wash, fell into a ditch and claimed three lives. Also, authorities say 11 people were killed at the Soka bridge on the Lagos-Benin highway when a truck driving against traffic collided with another commercial bus.
Last year, LASTMA recorded more than 100 truck and tanker accidents between January and July. We also recall that the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) last year said that in 2018, Nigeria lost over N39 billion to tanker and trailer-related road crashes.
According to the commission, available statistics indicate that a total of 650 tankers and trailers were involved in crashes in 2018, with over 90 percent of the affected vehicles having been used for haulage transportation for over 30 years.
Sadly, Nigeria has witnessed a significant increase in truck accidents over the past few years, which has led to severe losses in terms of human lives, properties, and economic resources. The country has been grappling with this issue for a long time now, but the situation seems to be getting worse.
Information available to this newspaper point to the fact the causes of these truck accidents are varied and complex. They range from poorly maintained vehicles, very young, untrained and inexperienced drivers, overloading and bad roads, to driver fatigue as well as disregard for traffic regulations.
Some of the common causes of truck accidents in Nigeria include, but are not limited to poor road infrastructure. Nigeria’s road network is in dire need of an upgrade. Most of the roads are in terrible state, making it difficult for drivers to maintain control of their vehicles. Potholes and other road defects can cause sudden accidents, and the lack of road signs and traffic lights make it challenging for drivers to navigate the roads.
Similarly, overloading is a common practice among truck drivers in Nigeria. It significantly affects the weight distribution and balance of the truck, making it difficult for the driver to control the vehicle. In some cases, overloaded trucks cause serious road accidents that lead to fatalities.
Furthermore, and under normal circumstances, truck drivers are expected to play a significant role in reducing truck accidents. Unfortunately, most of the truck drivers in Nigeria are untrained, and some of them drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Additionally, fatigue and the long hours spent on the road can also cause driver errors, which can lead to fatal accidents.
The maintenance of trucks is critical in reducing truck accidents. In Nigeria, most of the trucks are poorly maintained, leading to frequent mechanical faults that cause accidents.
The consequences of truck accidents are devastating, both for the victims and society at large. Truck accidents result in the loss of human lives, property damage, and significant economic losses. The victims and their families suffer immeasurable emotional and financial losses, while society is burdened with the cost of treatment, rehabilitation, and compensation for the victims.
It is, therefore, the considered opinion of this newspaper that all stakeholders must work together to reduce truck accidents in Nigeria. The federal and state governments, truck owners, and drivers must take proactive steps to address this issue.
We call on government at all levels, to invest in upgrading the road network, fixing potholes and other road defects as well as providing adequate road signs and traffic lights to make the roads safer for drivers.
The government must enforce strict penalties for traffic offenses, such as overloading, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and non-compliance with traffic regulations. This will encourage drivers to drive more responsibly and reduce truck accidents.
The government must enforce mandatory training and certification of truck drivers. The training should cover defensive driving, road safety, and other essential skills that are necessary to operate a truck safely. The truck owners must put their vehicles in good serviceable condition, and conduct regular inspections to ensure that they are roadworthy.
Incessant truck accidents in Nigeria have become a major concern for the government and society at large. The consequences of truck accidents are devastating, and it is time for all stakeholders to take action to reduce these accidents. The government, truck owners, and drivers must work together to improve the road infrastructure, enforce traffic regulations, train and certify trucks before they are put on the highways.
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