FRSC boss warns against night travel after 17 die in two accidents

FRSC boss warns against night travel after 17 die in two accidents

 

Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Biu, has again expressed worry over night trips undertaken by travellers on the road across the country despite repeated warnings.

This came after the death of 17 people in two separate night trip accidents early Monday morning.

Biu cautioned drivers against night trips, overloading and excessive speeding.

His caution followed the report of the two crashes that occured in the early hours of Monday 04 March, 2024 at Tashar Yari village along Zaria-Kano Expressway and Fire Service Academy along Yangoji-Gwagwalada expressway.

A statement by the spokesman for the FRSC, Jonas Agwu, said the reports submitted by crash investigation teams of the Corps said the Tashan Yari village crash involved a trailer overloaded with grains and 40 passengers seating on top of the goods.

The trailer with registration number KTG 454 ZZ which was on a night trip, en route Kano from Azare, was said to have crashed due to wrongful overtaking, driving against legal speed limit as well as overloading of vehicle with goods and people alike.

Twelve pey were killed, while 28 sustained different levels of injuries in the accident.

The other accident involved a J5 bus crashing onto a broken down trailer and exploding into flames.

Part of the statement read, “As a result of the impact of the crash, the five victims were burnt beyond recognition. The Crash Investigation Report attributes the cause of the crash to speed violation which led to loss of control.

“The crash occurred on the Yangoji-Gwagwalada expressway. It involved a trailer without registration number and a J5 Peugeot registered as XF 530GRK.

“FRSC rescue team that handled the rescue operations has taken the injured victims of the Tashan Yari crash to Makarfi General Hospital.”

It recalled that Biu had during his press briefing on the review of 2023 activities of the Corps decried the rate of fatal crashes that occurred as a result of night trips and violation of legal speed limits on the highways and overloading of vehicles.

“During that briefing, he highlighted some of the dangers associated with night trips such as poor visibility, fatigue, excessive speed and delayed post-crash response.

“He also cautioned against the risks associated with overloading of vehicles especially trailers and smaller trucks that load vehicles with goods, persons and animals.”

The Corps Marshal has directed Commanding Officers to step up enforcement, stakeholders’ engagement, as well as enhance advocacy campaigns.

Meanwhile, the Corps Marshal has decorated the newly appointed Deputy Corps Marshal representing the North East Geopolitical Zone, DCM Muhammed Kaigama Kabo.

He also decorated the six other Assistant Corps Marshals that were also promoted in the just concluded 2023 exercise, the statement added.