The National Secretary of RTEAN, Mr Henry Ejiofor, in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that road users, governments and other transport stakeholders must step up safety efforts.

Ejiofor said: “We are bothered about the rate of accidents on our roads, we are not happy but what can we do?

“We have been telling our people that accidents are caused by three major factors— human, mechanical and environmental factors. We are saying that all hands must be on deck to reduce the spate.

“Both the government and drivers should be safety conscious, because losing human lives and materials on the road is so pathetic. Governments across levels should know that our roads are not safe.

“It is unfortunate that many drivers are also careless about the condition of their vehicles and their state of mind.”

According to him, the association has not stopped educating its members on safety at every slight opportunity of meeting with members.

“Before drivers hit the road, they should do every necessary routine check on the vehicle. Before they leave their homes every day, there are rules: check your tyres, engine, water and every other thing.

“The drivers should make sure they are licensed to drive and avoid drunk-driving. A faulty brake being managed is suicidal.

“If you know that the tyres are expired, wait until you change them, don’t manage; don’t try it and don’t put it on the road,” he said

The RTEAN scribe urged the government to redouble effort on road repairs and construction, to reduce crashes and related deaths.

According to him, slippery surfaces, pot holes and bad roads have sent so many people to early graves.

“With the poor condition of roads, some drivers don’t care. They see slopes and they want to speed.

“The Executive National President of RTEAN, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, has not ceased in all our meetings to provide tips on safety while driving on the road, which we disseminate to all our members across the federation.

“From time to time, the president has been educating us on these three factors responsible for accidents on the road. We need to look at them and take them more seriously.

“We know government alone cannot do it, and that is why we are putting so many measures in place to educate our drivers,” he said.

Ejiofor advised the government to make the roads safer, noting that the impact of bandits and kidnappers on the highways was equally touching on the transport sub-sector.

“We must all come together for support the government in the campaign for safer roads,” he said. (NAN)