FRSC says 30 percent truck drivers fail visibility test

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Perhaps in establishing one of the possible causes of frequent road crashes in Nigeria, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has disclosed that 30 percent of truck drivers in the country have failed vision tests conducted by the regulatory Commission.

Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, Corps Marshal and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FRSC, stated this at the 2020 Truck Renewal Conference in Abuja, FCT.

The conference with the theme: ‘Truck Renewal System: Ensuring Road Transportation Safety’, was jointly organised by the Major oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAM), and Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO).

Oyeyemi said that most of the truck drivers had eyesight challenges, and it had made it more dangerous for them to drive at night.

He described most of the drivers with such a health condition as “lawless”, according to agency report.

Most of the trucks plying the road did not operate with the minimal safety standard, which had contributed to the cause of many road accidents, stated the FRSC Chief Executive.

He further said: “We need to take action; 30 percent of drivers failed the vision tests we conducted.

A Collage of Gas Tanker Explosions which occurred along Iju-Ishaga─Ajuwon Road in Lagos State Thursday, Septrember 24  Photo: Channels TV

“I commend MOMAN because most of its members comply with minimal safety standards but the others are yet to do so.”

According to him, “most of the trucks on our highways do not have safety valves.

“We must enforce the law of no safety valves, no loading of products.

“Just yesterday, a whole family was wiped off to an accident caused by a truck with petrol in Felele Lokoja.”

Boboye added: “This is avoidable if the minimal safety measures were adhered to.

“This is the time to stop all the talk shop and swing into action to avoid the reoccurrence of these on our roads.”

He, therefore, urged MOMAN and NARTO with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to collaborate in ensuring that drivers complied with the rules and regulation of traffic while driving their trucks.

Adetunji Oyebanji, MOMAN Chairman, described the theme of the Conference as “apt” judging by the situation of safety in transportation value chain in the country.

Oyebanji said that globally, products were transported through the pipelines, but that had stopped over the years in Nigeria due to lack of integrity.

About 10,000 trucks move from South to Northern part of Nigeria with about 80 percent without skid, automatic breaks, and other equipment needed for safety.

“MOMAN is working to ensure replacement of trucks that do not meet safety requirements,” he stated.

Recall that a gas tanker explosion occurred in Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos afternoon Thursday, September 24, with a earth-shaking explosion which rocked the neighbourhood.

Witnesses said at least three persons died in the blast, with about 40 others serious injured.

A similar carnage recently left almost 30 people, including school pupils and students dead in Lokoja, Kogi State capital.