FRSC Reports 61% Drop in Tanker Crash Deaths, Tightens Enforcement
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has recorded a 61.29 per cent reduction in fatalities from tanker and trailer-related crashes, alongside a 15.53 per cent decline in crash severity index in 2025.
The Corps attributed the achievement to the effective implementation of its Safe-to-Load Programme under the leadership of Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed.
Speaking at the flag-off of the 2026 technical training for FRSC desk officers at petroleum depots and terminals in Lagos, the Corps Marshal described the development as a major breakthrough in the agency’s campaign to reduce road crashes.
He said the results validate the Corps’ data-driven enforcement strategy and strengthened collaboration with key stakeholders in the petroleum haulage sector.
According to him, the Safe-to-Load Programme, introduced in 2015 in line with global safety standards for the transportation of dangerous goods, has significantly improved compliance across the sector.
He disclosed that compliance with Class G driver licence requirements has risen from 58.2 per cent at inception to 99.4 per cent, while installation of safety components such as leak-proof systems has reached 98.3 per cent.
Despite the progress, the Corps Marshal warned that the agency would intensify enforcement to achieve zero fatalities.
He said any tanker that fails to meet Safe-to-Load requirements would be denied loading, while all tanker-related crashes would be thoroughly investigated across the entire operational chain, including depot operators and vehicle owners.
The FRSC boss also raised concerns over ongoing violations, including tampering with speed limiting devices and poor vehicle maintenance, describing them as serious threats to road safety.
“The era of impunity on Nigerian roads is over,” he said, urging operators and drivers to comply fully with safety regulations.
He emphasised that preventing crashes translates to saving lives, protecting property, and preserving national resources.
The Corps also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening technology-driven monitoring systems, enhancing personnel capacity, and sustaining partnerships with key stakeholders in the sector.
These include the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).
According to the statement signed by the FRSC spokesperson, Osondu Ohaeri, the Corps will continue to enforce strict compliance with safety standards to sustain the gains recorded.
By TopHeadlines