Sleep-Deprived Tanker Drivers Endangering Lives, FRSC Warns

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has recognized dashing, driver fatigue, overloading and driving towards site visitors as persistent violations amongst petroleum tanker drivers, warning that the practices proceed to hazard street customers.

The FRSC spokesman, Osondu Ohaeri, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, noting that the violations persist regardless of enforcement efforts by the corps.

Ohaeri highlighted the challenges related to transporting petroleum merchandise and different items utilizing articulated automobiles, notably the dangers posed by drivers who disregard security rules to fulfill supply schedules.

He mentioned some tanker drivers exceeded really useful velocity limits in an try and ship their merchandise on time, regardless of the problem of bringing closely loaded automobiles to a protected cease.

According to him, the scale and weight of tankers require drivers to train additional warning, notably when approaching bridges, bends and congested sections of highways.

The FRSC spokesman additionally recognized driver fatigue as a significant danger, noting that some drivers tried to cowl lengthy distances, together with journeys from Kano to Lagos, in a single day with out ample relaxation.

“Driving while fatigued could impair concentration and reaction time, increasing the likelihood of losing control of vehicles,” he mentioned.

Ohaeri additional warned towards driving towards site visitors and overloading, together with the apply of utilizing tankers to move extra items alongside petroleum merchandise.

“These practices can compromise vehicle stability and expose drivers, passengers and other road users to danger,” he mentioned.

He attributed the persistence of the violations partly to drivers’ attitudes and stress to fulfill supply schedules, stressing that operational calls for shouldn’t take priority over compliance with site visitors rules.

Ohaeri mentioned the FRSC had intensified security schooling and enforcement actions whereas collaborating with operators and different stakeholders to enhance compliance with street security requirements.

He disclosed that the corps had achieved about 75 per cent success in issuing the suitable Class G driver’s licences to related operators as a part of efforts to make sure that drivers possessed the required {qualifications}.

He added that the company was partaking petroleum entrepreneurs and different trade stakeholders to strengthen security requirements throughout the transportation chain.

The FRSC spokesman urged tanker drivers and operators to prioritise security over supply schedules, warning that violations involving automobiles conveying extremely flammable merchandise may have devastating penalties.

He referred to as for improved driver self-discipline, ample relaxation, correct car upkeep and strict adherence to hurry limits to scale back crashes involving articulated automobiles.