Following the ghastly accident that occured early Tuesday morning, along the Kwali- Abaji expressway, the Acting Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Biu, has cautioned drivers against violating prescribed speed limit and night trips.
The Corps Marshal encouraged drivers to observe atleast 30 minutes rest after every 4 hours drive so as to avoid the dangers of excessive speed and fatigue on the highways.
A statement signed by the Corps Public Education Officer, of the FRSC, Bisi Kazeem, stated that the fatal crash which occured around 6:30 am on 22 November, 2022, involved a DAF Trailer with registration number BAU 632 XA, and a Toyota Bus with registration number, GME 201 ZU.
He said a total of 22 occupants, all male, were involved in the crash, out of which 17 victims were killed while four other occupants who were rescued alive, sustained various degrees of injuries and the one remaining occupant was rescued without any injury.
The Assistant Corps Marshal, added that, “the main cause of the crash according to the report are, excessive speed (Speed Limit Violation) and fatigue.
“As at the time of this statement, the emergency rescue team of the Corps has concluded the rescue of the injured victims to Abaji General Hospital for immediate medical attention, while the remains of the dead victims were deposited at the mortuary.”
Speaking on the causes of the crash, the Acting Corps Marshal maintained that drivers must avoid speeding as crash investigation conducted over the years have attributed major causes of crashes in Nigeria to excessive violation of legal speed limit on all roads.
He revealed that the fatigue was as a result of the driver’s indulgence in a night long trip without observing adequate rest within the driving period.
According to him, it was this and many other factors that necessitated the directive given by the Federal Government for the Corps to commence sensitisation and subsequently, enforcement on compulsory installation of speed limiting device.
While warning violators to desist from compromising road traffic regulations, he assured the public that the Corps will step up formidable operational activities that will bring this menace to an end.
The FRSC therefore urged the public to always patronize the FRSC toll free line 122 and the National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM which are always available for all road users to report emergencies at any given time.