Dauda Biu, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has advocated jail terms for drivers who cause accidents.
Biu made the proposal in light of recent needless crashes in Oyo, Kano, and Kaduna states.
According to a news report, on April 18 and 19, 2024, there were traffic crashes at Gaya Junction in Kano and Tashan Yari in Kaduna, resulting in 18 fatalities.
On April 14, 2024, a mishap on the Oyo-Ogbomoso route claimed the lives of 19 passengers.
Biu, speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday, revealed that the FRSC has encouraged all state governments to punish drivers who violate traffic laws.
He emphasised the importance of harsh sanctions, including jail sentences without the possibility of fines, to deter irresponsible driving.
“In fact, we are advocating a jail term without an option of fines, so that by the time we have 50 jailed drivers, everyone will take caution. It is a collective effort.”
The Corps Marshal also stated that the FRSC was increasing engagement with the judiciary in all 36 states to speed the trials of drivers involved in traffic accidents.
Biu stated that violators would face legal repercussions to discourage others from driving carelessly.
He noted, “The FRSC is already deepening ongoing collaboration with the judiciary across the 36 federation states for speedy trial of drivers involved in road traffic crashes.
“As such, all drivers and vehicle owners who cause crashes on the roads will face the wrath of the law, and this will serve as a deterrent to others who are recalcitrant and drive dangerously or recklessly on the road.”
He also noted a reduction in fatalities during the 2024 Easter and Eid-el-Fitr holidays compared to the previous year, indicating progress in road safety efforts.
“During the 2024 Easter special patrol period, the corps recorded a reduction in fatalities, as 33 victims were killed in 2024 against 81 killed in the same period in 2023. This represents a 59.3 percent reduction.
“Similarly, during the Eid-El-Fitr special patrol, while the total number of people killed in 2023 was 59, those killed in the same period in 2024 were reduced to 28, signifying a drop of 52.5 percent,” Biu said.
