FRSC Warns Drivers, Transport Operators Against Overloading, Mixed Loading
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has warned commercial drivers, fleet operators, cargo owners and other stakeholders against overloading and unsafe mixed loading, threatening appropriate sanctions for offenders in accordance with the law.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, gave the warning on Thursday in Abuja during a mega motor park rally organised by the FRSC in collaboration with African Gem, a herbal health drink brand.
The rally, held at Nyanya Central Terminal Motor Park, was themed, “Overloading and Mixloading: A Dangerous Trend to Avoid,” and aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of unsafe loading practices and promoting responsible transportation across the country.
Mohammed, who was represented by the Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Operations, Godwin Omiko, described the campaign as a call for a fundamental change in attitude, practices and responsibility within Nigeria’s transport sector.
He stressed that no commercial benefit justified endangering human lives, noting that the persistent practice of overloading and improper loading of goods continued to pose significant risks to road users.
According to him, overloading occurs when a vehicle carries passengers or cargo beyond its approved capacity, placing excessive pressure on tyres, brakes and suspension systems while undermining vehicle stability.
He explained that such practices could increase stopping distances, trigger tyre failure, cause loss of control and heighten the likelihood of road traffic crashes.
The FRSC boss also warned that mixed loading could create serious safety hazards, particularly when incompatible or hazardous materials were transported together, goods were poorly arranged, or cargo was inadequately secured.
He noted that an overloaded vehicle might appear capable of moving normally but could become dangerous when an emergency required sudden braking or an abrupt manoeuvre.
Similarly, he said overcrowded commercial buses exposed passengers to unnecessary risks and could worsen the consequences of road crashes.
Mohammed reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to enforcing existing traffic regulations, stressing that public education and voluntary compliance would not replace the punishment of offenders.
He said the objective of enforcement was not merely to apprehend violators but to prevent avoidable crashes, improve compliance and save lives.
“Our ambition is to make safe loading a standard practice across Nigeria’s transport sector, not an occasional response to the presence of enforcement officers,” he said.
He added that the FRSC would sustain public enlightenment campaigns, stakeholder engagement and enforcement operations to address unsafe practices before they resulted in crashes.
The Corps Marshal further emphasised the importance of engaging drivers, transport unions, loading officials and cargo owners, noting that efforts to curb overloading must begin at the point where loading decisions are made.
He urged commercial drivers to resist pressure from vehicle owners, cargo merchants and daily revenue targets whenever such demands threatened their safety or that of other road users.
Mohammed encouraged drivers to reject loads that exceeded their vehicles’ permitted capacity or could not be transported safely.
He also called on transport unions and motor park executives to make safety a condition for operating within their parks by discouraging overloading and supporting drivers who complied with established regulations.
The FRSC boss urged cargo owners and fleet operators to ensure that appropriate vehicles were provided for their goods, weight limits were observed, incompatible materials were not improperly combined and all consignments were securely arranged.
Passengers were equally advised to prioritise their safety by refusing to board overloaded or visibly unsafe vehicles.
He maintained that road safety was a collective responsibility, warning that no individual or organisation should benefit from practices that endangered innocent lives.
Transport union leaders and members, commercial drivers, fleet operators, cargo owners and journalists attended the rally, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
