Need to end incessant truck accidents

Iwrite to express my deep concern and frustration regarding the alarming and persistent issue of truck accidents in Nigeria. It is disheartening to frequently see how the lives and properties of people are compromised by the negligence of the government and other individuals.

Recently, a truck carrying a massive 33,000 litres of petroleum products collided with a 24-seater bus on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Three people died instantly, while 15 sustained injuries.

Similarly, in September 2023, a student of the Federal University OyeEkiti (FUOYE) and her elder brother, who had just graduated from the school, died in an accident involving a truck and motorcycle in Ilupeju town, Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria.

Almost every day, lives are lost, injuries occur, and property damaged in these accidents.

The situation is exacerbated by poor road conditions, inadequate maintenance, and the use of old and ill-maintained trucks with worn-out tires, insufficient signaling lights, and inadequate latching devices. These factors are not only a threat to human lives but also damage the roads further, causing even more accidents.

One of the root causes of these frequent crashes is the lax enforcement of traffic and vehicle standards. Federal and state traffic management agencies, as well as law enforcement and standards agencies, need to step up their efforts to ensure compliance with safety standards. This is crucial to preventing future tragedies on our roads.

Furthermore, the government at all levels must prioritise road maintenance, expansion, and the creation of new roads.