- By Babatunde Ayedoju
It was a black Wednesday on October 22 when a no fewer than eight persons according to the Federal Road Safety Commission – (FRSC), people reportedly lost their lives in an accident near the main gate of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, along Owo-Akungba-Ikare Expressway.
According to eyewitnesses the accident occured when a truck allegedly lost control as a result of brake failure and rammed into some shops along the road, killing the victims. The accident was said to have occurred close to a barricade erected by the government in 2021, to prevent an accident like this from happening again.
The FRSC Sector Commander, Dr. Samuel Ibitoye, who put the casualty figure at eight (five male, two female and a male child), said that the truck involved in the accident was loaded with bags of cement. He said that the truck rammed into a barricade close to the state-owned university.
The incident elicited a protest from students of the university who demanded justice for the victims and immediate government intervention to prevent a recurrence of the sad incident, which was said to have claimed the life of a student.
Another black Wednesday had earlier come to life on October 8, along Oda Road, Akure, when an unidentified man riding a motorcycle, met what some described as his untimely death at the hands of a hit-and-run tipper driver.
Eyewitnesses, who said the man was returning home after dropping his children at school, attributed the unfortunate incident to overspeeding, which caused the tipper’s driver to lose control of the vehicle and ram into the motorcycle.
Some hours after the incident, the Ondo State Government reacted through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Emergency Response, Prince Wellington Adebawo, by issuing a firm warning to all reckless drivers, particularly operators of heavy-duty vehicles plying roads across the state.
Ondo govt issues firm warning
The Special Assistant noted that some motorists had continued to engage in careless and dangerous driving, leading to accidents and the destruction of valuable government infrastructure. He added that such irresponsible conduct not only endangers innocent lives but also undermines the sincere efforts of the government to uphold order, safety and the aesthetic beauty of the state.
While affirming that such acts would no longer be tolerated in Ondo State, Adebawo stressed that any driver found guilty of reckless driving or damaging government property would be apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the state.
Noteworthy is the fact that the gruesome death of road users at the hands of tipper or truck drivers is a regular occurrence on Nigerian roads, underscoring the need for all hands to be on deck to address the issue.
About two months ago, two young men believed to be students were crushed to death, with others injured, when a tipper collided with a tricycle along the Tombia-Ammassoma Road in Bayelsa State. Some residents reported that the accident occurred near a dangerous bend along the highway, due to poor road markings and speeding. They said the tipper truck was descending the slope at high speed when it lost control and rammed into the tricycle.
Similarly, in August last year, along the Nteje-Umueri junction by the Awka-Onitsha Expressway, Anambra State, an unidentified motorcyclist was crushed to death by a fully loaded tipper. This particular incident was blamed on wrongful overtaking by eyewitnesses.
Eyewitness accounts stated that while the motorcycle rider was trying to overtake the tipper, he lost control, fell and the tipper rammed into him and crashed. They noted that three male adults and one female adult were involved in the crash. One male adult was killed, one female adult was injured, and two male adults were rescued unhurt.
In December 2023, along the Umunze-Ekwulobia Road in Anambra State, a tipper driver also claimed the life of a motorcyclist in an accident involving a Mercedes Benz tipper, a Mack trailer and an unregistered motorcycle with no number plate. People at the scene blamed the accident on brake failure.
Accidents are common, regardless of vehicle type
Commenting on the development, Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Ondo State, Dr. Samuel Ibitoye, emphasised that a crash can happen with any vehicle, regardless of its type. However, he added that when crashes become incessant, the FRSC takes necessary actions, which could be in the form of enforcement or advocacy.
Ibitoye noted that motorcycles are more prone to crashes because of the way riders operate them and because riders are exposed. He said, “We call them exposed road users because there is nothing to protect the body of the rider. When an accident happens, the impact goes directly to the body of the motorcyclist, many times leading to death.”
Talking about tippers, the FRSC boss explained that a tipper is a heavy vehicle, whether loaded or not, and anything it collides with will feel its full impact. “That is why we enlighten them on the necessity of taking care of their vehicles. We also go on enforcement regularly. We are not resting on our oars; we keep making efforts,” he added.
He further advised that drivers should avoid driving against traffic and should follow traffic rules as a way to guard against crashes. He stressed that life is meant to be lived to the fullest, not to be cut short untimely through accidents.
There are ways to curb road crashes
Likewise, Mr. Bode Akinyemi, a legal practitioner, explained that in developed climes, roads are designated for various kinds of vehicles, but in Nigeria, such provisions are lacking. He also said that roads in other countries may have up to four lanes: one for articulated vehicles, another for cars, one for VIPs, and one for emergencies.
He noted that crashes on Nigerian roads are worsened by the presence of old, unroadworthy vehicles, coupled with recklessness and wrongful overtaking. He recommended wider roads that are clearly demarcated for various automobile categories.
In the words of Mokesioluwa Peters, a businessman and motorist, “It’s really heartbreaking to hear stories like this because these accidents are avoidable. Most times, it happens because of reckless driving, overspeeding, or when a driver loses control due to brake failure or fatigue.
“Some of these tipper drivers spend long hours on the road without proper rest, and the state of our roads also makes things worse.”
To address the menace, Peters recommended stricter checks on vehicles, regular maintenance and proper monitoring of the drivers. He added that government and traffic agencies must ensure that only trained and licensed drivers are behind the wheel.
“Creating a separate lane or designated route for tippers, especially in busy areas, would go a long way. It might not be easy to achieve everywhere, but even starting with major roads or accident-prone areas could save lives,” he added.
Mr. Aderemi Afolabi, a driver, blamed such crashes on overspeeding and recklessness, saying that many motorcyclists and motorists tend to contend with bigger vehicles, not minding the consequences.
Talking about his encounters with tippers and other heavy vehicles on the road, Afolabi said, “I always avoid them when I am driving. Once I see them coming, I move aside. When my passengers complain, I tell them my boss is coming behind me.”