Road crashes have resulted in more waste of lives and property than major communicable diseases and sundry ailments put together.
Research conducted on Road Traffic Crashes have shown that there are three major causes of these crashes, namely:
Failure to ensure good working condition, as well as observing safe driving measures while on the road will result in road traffic crashes.
More disasters and casualties are recorded when vehicles travel at higher speed than what obtains at low speed.
At 100 Km/hr, a vehicle moves at 28 meters per second. Imagine where driver would be if this vehicle veers off the road for 1 second, bearing in mind that the road is usually 12 meters wide.
Drivers forget that they cannot control the road, weather conditions and the environment.
0n-coming vehicles or vehicles being overtaken may do the unexpected, like swerving, stopping or trying to avoid pot holes. Furthermore, some of the roads have narrow bridges hidden around the corner.
Lack of concentration is very dangerous as it takes only a moment for crashes to occur. The vehicle in front may stop abruptly or a child may run into the road suddenly; hence anything can happen.
Be alert, always anticipate danger.
Again driving after a heavy meal can also be hazardous as the blood concentrates in the stomach to absorb the food, thus depriving the brain of oxygen which can cause the driver to fall asleep.
Over working also causes fatigue. Some articulated vehicle drivers work an average of 9 to 12 hours per day which is dangerous.
Some drivers have been known to use chewing sticks to keep their mouths active, with the aim of staying awake. Remember, these drugs are no substitute for rest.
In some cases hazardous obstacles placed on the road to warn or divert traffic, are left behind when the vehicles move on after repairs. This endangers other road users and may result in crashes.
S.10(3)(i) FRSC Act 2007
S.10(4)(j) FRSC Act 2007
8.50 National Road Traffic Regulations. 2004
You can report this to the driver's employer or to the first traffic authorities you encounter on the road, or demand to be set down at the next convenient spot if the driver persists on driving recklessly, before he drives you to death.
Remember, crashes claim the lives of more passengers than drivers. 0n the average, eight passengers are killed along with only one driver.
S.10(3)(i) FRSC Act 2007
These behaviours contribute to road traffic crashes.
Research conducted on Road Traffic Crashes have shown that there are three major causes of these crashes, namely:
- Human Factor
- Mechanical Factor
- Environmental Factor
I. Human Factor
This constitutes about 90% of road traffic crashes. Out of this percentage, drivers' action or reaction makes up 80%.
Human factor can further be classified under the following:
Human factor can further be classified under the following:
Drivers:
- Overconfidence: Drivers often feel that they are masters of the vehicle and road.
Failure to ensure good working condition, as well as observing safe driving measures while on the road will result in road traffic crashes.
- Speeding: Drivers believe that the faster they drive, the more they impress themselves and others.
More disasters and casualties are recorded when vehicles travel at higher speed than what obtains at low speed.
At 100 Km/hr, a vehicle moves at 28 meters per second. Imagine where driver would be if this vehicle veers off the road for 1 second, bearing in mind that the road is usually 12 meters wide.
Drivers forget that they cannot control the road, weather conditions and the environment.
0n-coming vehicles or vehicles being overtaken may do the unexpected, like swerving, stopping or trying to avoid pot holes. Furthermore, some of the roads have narrow bridges hidden around the corner.
- Lack of Concentration: Drivers often engage in things that distract their attention while driving.
Lack of concentration is very dangerous as it takes only a moment for crashes to occur. The vehicle in front may stop abruptly or a child may run into the road suddenly; hence anything can happen.
Be alert, always anticipate danger.
- Tiredness: Some drivers drive long distances without even stretching their legs and improving their blood circulation to the brain. This makes the drivers feel tired and sleepy.
Again driving after a heavy meal can also be hazardous as the blood concentrates in the stomach to absorb the food, thus depriving the brain of oxygen which can cause the driver to fall asleep.
Over working also causes fatigue. Some articulated vehicle drivers work an average of 9 to 12 hours per day which is dangerous.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol: Alcohol can cause over confidence, poor judgement, lack of coordination and recklessness.
- Driving under the influence of drugs: Drugs can interfere with the ability to drive, Sometimes drugs that are prescribed by doctors have sedative (i.e, sleep inducing) effect on the driver.Coffee and kolanut are stimulants that tend to increase the alertness of drivers. Another stimulant popularly taken by these drivers is Indian hemp which is a street drug, and sometimes cocaine.
Some drivers have been known to use chewing sticks to keep their mouths active, with the aim of staying awake. Remember, these drugs are no substitute for rest.
- Poor vehicle care: Drivers often do not check their vehicles to ensure that they are in good condition for the road before setting out on a journey.
- lndiscriminate Parking: Parking a vehicle in the middle of the road just to change a tyre or because of engine trouble is among the causes of road traffic crashes especially at night or around a sharp bend or close to the crest of a hill where the vehicle cannot be seen far off by other road users.
In some cases hazardous obstacles placed on the road to warn or divert traffic, are left behind when the vehicles move on after repairs. This endangers other road users and may result in crashes.
S.10(3)(i) FRSC Act 2007
- Dangerous overtaking: This is responsible for about 45% of all crashes. Careless overtaking and poorjudgement combine to cause road traffic crashes.
S.10(4)(j) FRSC Act 2007
Passengers:
- Distraction: Passengers contribute to road traffic crashes by engaging the driver in discussions and arguments.
8.50 National Road Traffic Regulations. 2004
- Nonohalant Attitude: Passengers board buses, taxis and private vehicles without even taking a look at the tyres to see if they are worn out.
You can report this to the driver's employer or to the first traffic authorities you encounter on the road, or demand to be set down at the next convenient spot if the driver persists on driving recklessly, before he drives you to death.
Remember, crashes claim the lives of more passengers than drivers. 0n the average, eight passengers are killed along with only one driver.
S.10(3)(i) FRSC Act 2007
- Pedestrians: Pedestrians contribute to road traffic crashes by not observing road traffic rules and regulations.
These behaviours contribute to road traffic crashes.
II. Mechanical Factor
Irregular and poor maintenance of vehicle can lead to crashes which may manifest while the vehicle is in motion. This constitutes about 10% of road crashes.
Such irregular maintenance may lead to stoppage of the vehicle. or development of other faults that affect the control of the vehicle, especially when the vehicle is on high speed.
These could lead to crashes The choice of preventive servicing and routine maintenance is between the road mechanics and approved motor dealers.
The road side mechanics are the most popular because they attend to the problem immediately and are less expensive. However, they may cause more dangers to the vehicles due to lack of adequate knowledge and equipment.
In essence, crashes due to mechanical factors have to do with malfunction of the vehicle which eventually leads to loss of control of the vehicle and invariably to road traffic crashes.
Factors contributing to this include the following:
Such irregular maintenance may lead to stoppage of the vehicle. or development of other faults that affect the control of the vehicle, especially when the vehicle is on high speed.
These could lead to crashes The choice of preventive servicing and routine maintenance is between the road mechanics and approved motor dealers.
The road side mechanics are the most popular because they attend to the problem immediately and are less expensive. However, they may cause more dangers to the vehicles due to lack of adequate knowledge and equipment.
In essence, crashes due to mechanical factors have to do with malfunction of the vehicle which eventually leads to loss of control of the vehicle and invariably to road traffic crashes.
Factors contributing to this include the following:
- Malfunction of engine
- Poor steering mechanism
- Tyre burst
- Brake failure
- Failed wipers during rainy season
- Spilled oil leading to crashes
- Exhaust fumes or smokes leading to temporary road blindness
- Faulty security gadgets
- Defective lighting system
- Defective horn
- Faulty wheel balancing and alignment
- Absence of rear mirror
- Leaking fuel that may result to fire outbreak
- Lack of reflective triangle
- Incompetent wheel nuts
- Electrical fault
- Inconsistency in vehicle load design
- Lack of seatbelt
III. Environmental Factor
It is believed that bad road causes more crashes than good road. However, it has been observed that with the construction of new roads, crashes are known to be on the increase.
Other elements constituting environmental factor include:
Other elements constituting environmental factor include:
- Improperly placed or absence of road signs
- Pot holes on our roads
- Bad roads (Narrow, rough, dusty and winding roads)
- Heavy rain
- Harmanan Haze
- Hot sun on roads in desert/savannah area
- Absence of road markings
- Collapsed bridges
- Slippery surface; (oil spill on the road)
- Fallen trees on the road
- River overflow