The Acting Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Ali Biu, has urged drivers, vehicle owners, and fleet operators to adopt the safe culture of performing routine as well as regular maintenance on their vehicles as they transit from destination to another.
The Corp Marshal stated this while describing the avoidable and unfortunate multiple crash that occurred on 10 November, 2022 along Ejule-Ochadamu by Olofu Bridge, Ochadamu in Kogi State.
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The unfortunate incident involved 20 vehicles in the category of 1 Truck, 1 Tanker, 12 Cars, and 6 Bikes.
The crash investigation team revealed that the fatal crash involved a total of 18 persons.
A total of 7 victims comprising of 3 Males and 4 Females sustained various degrees of injuries, while the remaining 11 whose sexuality could not be ascertained as at the time of carrying out the rescue were burnt beyond recognition.
The investigation also found that road obstruction and break failure, a mechanical flaw that had a detrimental effect on the vehicle’s braking system’s functionality, were the primary causes of the collision and the subsequent fire outbreak that claimed the lives of the victims without any fault of their own.
The Corps Marshal has ordered the proper deployment of staff to guarantee quick removal of impediments and uninterrupted traffic movement on the impacted section of route.
The Acting Corps Marshal further instructed Commanding Officers to step up sensitization and routine inspection for all fleet operators across the country while lamenting the risks and harms associated with poor vehicle maintenance, willful disregard of signs and warnings about mechanical deficiencies in the vehicle, and driving over the speed limit.
In order to report emergencies at any moment, he advised the public to always call the FRSC toll-free line 122 and the National Traffic Radio
