The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Malam Shehu Mohammed, has warned Nigerians against embarking on night trips.
He described such travels as unsafe and utterly dangerous.
The Corps Marshal gave the warning in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO) Mr. Olusegun Ogungbemide, yesterday in Abuja.
Mohammed warned fleet operators, commercial drivers, and patronisers of night trips, including private vehicle owners, to desist henceforth from it.
The FRSC boss, who spoke extensively on why night trips should be avoided, stressed that the warning arose from the dangers, risks, and the rising cases of fatalities occasioned by Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) recorded at night.
He maintained that road crashes that occur at night were more fatal than the ones that happen in the day time.
According to him, night trips pose a significant threat to road users.
“This is due to reduced visibility, driver fatigue, sleeping on wheels, excessive speeding, and other factors that increase the risk of accidents.
“Avoid night trips at all cost; they are not only unsafe but utterly dangerous.
“This warning has become necessary following some reports of fatal crashes that were recently recorded at night, which have led to the death of several road users and left others with different degrees of injuries,”
The Corps Marshal recalled that on September 8 alone, an avoidable fatal crash occurred in Lapai, Niger State, where four vehicles were caught up in an inferno that led to the death of 37 people on the spot.
According to him, the crash occurred as a result of a combination of factors, namely speed violation and fatigue.
“We are yet to recover from the shock of the Lapai crash.
“Another one occurred on Thursday, September 12, killing 18 people still because of night trips. Intelligence reveals that most fleet operators and other vehicle owners, including private vehicle owners who are addicted to night journeys, do so for selfish economic gains.
“Also, unnecessary overloading of vehicles with animals, passengers and goods to evade arrest by FRSC patrol teams happen.
“Although the FRSC cannot legally ban night trips, we strongly advise those who engage in this practice to reassess their choices and schedule their journeys during the day.
“This is also due to the difficulties in providing prompt help to motorists involved in night time crashes that occur beyond FRSC’s rescue coverage areas,” he said.
