The Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, says statistics have revealed that over 90 per cent of road traffic crashes (RTCs) in Nigeria were caused by human factors.

Mr Alkali said this at the 2024 annual safety manager retreat organised by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Thursday in Abuja.

The minister mentioned human factors such as negligence, fatigue, and lack of adherence to safety protocols.

He urged the FRSC personnel to collaborate with the police to ensure a unified approach to road safety.

“Together, we can foster a safer, smarter, and more sustainable future for fleet management in Nigeria,” the minister said.

Mr Alkali said it was significant to remind the stakeholders that safety was a shared responsibility, adding that it called for all hands to be on deck.

“We need to know that we are here to save lives, reduce risks, and build a future where technology and human ingenuity work hand in hand.

“The road ahead may be challenging, but it is also filled with multiple opportunities.

“By embracing innovation and prioritising safety, we can make 2024 a landmark year in driver management and fleet safety,” he said.

In his remarks, the FRSC corps marshal, Shehu Mohammed, emphasised that safety managers were professionals and were duty-bound to their employers to ensure organisational advancement.

The FRSC boss said the corps relied on them to uphold the highest level of professionalism.

“To achieve this, fleet operators are expected to introduce improved safety practices and ensure the comfort of their passengers and customers in compliance with traffic regulations.

“This also includes provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

“As you know, passengers and customers have the right to report any form of disservice to the FCCPC for action,” he said.

The FRSC boss emphasised that compliance with other Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme (RTSSS) guidelines on effective vehicle maintenance and proper administration of the passenger manifest was imperative.

“On the other hand, articulated vehicle operators must ensure proper latching of goods, while twist locks should be used for container trucks in transit to avoid fall off.

“Wet cargo operators are to ensure the use of safety valves. Safety managers are therefore urged to take these issues as critical in ensuring fleet safety,” he said.

The FRSC boss believed that with this concerted approach and judicious implementation of the advocated practices, crashes on Nigerian roads would someday be eradicated.

(NAN)