The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Benue, State, Steve Ayodele, has advised passengers to always speak up against dangerous driving, saying it kills more passengers than drivers.

Mr Ayodele gave the admonition while briefing journalists on Tuesday in Makurdi.

The sector commander lamented that human factors contributed to 80 per cent of the causative factors of road traffic crashes, while the remaining 20 per cent was shared between mechanical and environmental factors.

He said, “The increase in fatalities and crashes within the ember months is a result of human lawlessness and non-adherence to traffic rules and regulations. The ember months in Nigeria usually record an increase in vehicular movement and other activities, especially commuter and haulage. This increase is as a result of the seasonal festivities that usually take place at the end of the year and the New Year celebration.’’

He said that FRSC was saddled with the responsibility of traffic management in Nigeria, and it had been able to carry out various researches on traffic-related issues to address the accidents on the road.

He also said that speeding in excess of prescribed limits, overloading of passengers and goods in excess of the approved vehicle capacity, and poor vehicle maintenance were other causes of road crashes.

According to him, other causes of crashes included driving under influence, driving with expired or worn-out tyres, fatigue driving, route violations, and mixed human, agricultural, and fuel cargoes were common causes of traffic crashes.

Meanwhile, the state Coordinator, Special Marshals, Solomon Adaga, said road safety was a collective responsibility and not the responsibility of FRSC alone.

He called on all hands to be on deck to make roads safe for all and sundry.

The Branch Secretary, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Makurdi, Stephen Lawal, commended FRSC for their efforts in ensuring that drivers adhere to traffic rules in order to tackle road crashes.

Mr Lawal disclosed that the union had been fighting against drinking alcohol before driving or while driving, stating that violators were usually sanctioned.

He further lamented the insecurity on the roads and called on the federal government to act fast to curtail the ugly trend. 

(NAN)