FRSC Flags Speeding, Fatigue, Overloading Among Tanker Drivers
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has identified speeding, driver fatigue, overloading and driving against traffic as persistent safety violations among petroleum tanker drivers, warning that the practices continue to endanger lives and property on Nigerian roads.
The FRSC spokesperson, Osondu Ohaeri, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday, October 25, stressing that the violations remained a major concern despite ongoing enforcement and public safety campaigns.
Ohaeri explained that some tanker drivers exceeded prescribed speed limits in a bid to meet delivery schedules, often overlooking the risks associated with operating heavily loaded vehicles that require longer distances to come to a complete stop.
He noted that the size and weight of articulated vehicles transporting petroleum products demanded extra caution, particularly when navigating bridges, bends and congested sections of highways.
According to him, driver fatigue was another major contributor to road safety risks, as some operators undertook long-distance journeys, including trips from Kano to Lagos, overnight without sufficient rest.
He warned that driving while fatigued could reduce concentration and slow reaction times, increasing the likelihood of losing control and causing road crashes.
The FRSC spokesperson also condemned the practice of driving against traffic, describing it as a serious violation that puts motorists and other road users at risk.
He further raised concerns over the overloading of tankers and the use of vehicles conveying petroleum products to transport additional goods, noting that such practices could compromise vehicle stability and increase the likelihood of accidents.
Ohaeri attributed the continued occurrence of these violations partly to poor driver discipline and pressure to meet delivery deadlines, insisting that operational demands should never take precedence over safety regulations.
He said the FRSC had intensified safety education and enforcement activities while collaborating with tanker operators, petroleum marketers and other industry stakeholders to improve compliance with established road safety standards.
As part of efforts to ensure that tanker drivers possessed the appropriate qualifications, Ohaeri disclosed that the corps had recorded about 75 per cent success in issuing the required Class G driver’s licences to eligible operators.
He added that the agency was engaging relevant stakeholders across the petroleum transportation chain to strengthen safety practices and promote responsible driving.
The FRSC spokesperson urged tanker drivers and fleet operators to prioritise safety over delivery schedules, warning that violations involving vehicles carrying highly flammable petroleum products could result in devastating consequences.
He called for improved driver discipline, adequate rest before long journeys, regular vehicle maintenance and strict compliance with speed limits, stressing that these measures were essential to reducing crashes involving tankers and other articulated vehicles.
Ohaeri reiterated the need for all operators to comply with traffic regulations, noting that responsible driving practices were critical to protecting lives, preventing avoidable accidents and safeguarding public infrastructure.
