The head of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Biu, has proposed the idea of giving jail sentences to drivers who cause road accidents.
Biu presented this idea after recent preventable accidents in Oyo, Kano, and Kaduna.
According to The PUNCH, there were accidents at Gaya Junction in Kano and Tashan Yari in Kaduna on April 18 and 19, 2024, resulting in a total of 18 deaths.
It was also reported that a crash on the Oyo-Ogbomoso route led to the deaths of 19 passengers on April 14, 2024.
Biu, speaking at a press conference in Abuja, emphasized that the FRSC has called on all state governments to vigorously prosecute these drivers for breaking road laws.
He stressed the importance of strict penalties, including imprisonment without the option of paying fines, to discourage reckless driving.
The Corps Marshal stated, “We have written to all state governors to assist in prosecuting drivers who cause road accidents. The Kaduna State government has committed to prosecuting these drivers. We hope that other states will also direct their commissioners of justice or police to prosecute drivers who disobey road rules.
‘In fact, we are advocating for a jail term without an option of fine so that when we have 50 jailed drivers, everyone will be more careful. It is a joint effort.”
Furthermore, the Corps Marshal mentioned that FRSC was increasing cooperation with the judiciary in all 36 states to expedite the trial of drivers involved in road accidents.
Biu noted that all violators will face legal consequences to prevent others from driving recklessly.
He pointed out, “The Corps is already strengthening its existing collaboration with the judiciary in all 36 states for the speedy trial of drivers involved in road traffic accidents.
“As a result, all drivers and vehicle owners who cause accidents on the roads will be punished by law, and this will discourage others who drive dangerously or recklessly on the road.”
He also mentioned a decrease in fatalities during the 2024 Easter and Eid-el-Fitr compared to the previous year, showing progress in road safety efforts.
“During the 2024 Easter Special Patrol period, the Corps recorded a decrease in fatalities with 33 victims in 2024 compared to 81 in the same period in 2023. This indicates a 59.3 percent reduction.
“Similarly, during the Eid-El-Fitr special patrol, the total number of people killed in 2023 was 59, which reduced to 28 in the same period in 2024, marking a 52.5 percent decrease,” Biu said.
