The Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has initiated a significant campaign aimed at reducing road traffic crashes by 50% by the year 2030, aligning with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety.
With Nigeria experiencing thousands of deaths and injuries from road accidents each year, many victims are often left unattended at crash scenes, severely impacting their chances of survival.
In a statement released by RTEAN President Musa Maitakobi and National Secretary Comrade Yusuf Adeniyi, the association underscored the urgent need for intervention in road safety.
Key features of the initiative include:
- Standardized Vehicle First Aid Kits: Each commercial transport vehicle will be required to carry a first aid kit to provide immediate assistance to accident victims until emergency services arrive.
- Death Benefit Coverage: A coverage of ₦1.5 million per occupant in case of fatality.
- Medical and Emergency Treatment Coverage: An amount of ₦1 million per occupant for medical treatment following an accident.
To ensure compliance, RTEAN has mandated that all commercial transport vehicles register under the initiative, especially during festive periods known for high passenger movement and increased accident rates. Vehicles that do not comply will face arrest and fines starting in November 2024.
The statement highlighted the collaborative efforts between the Federal Ministry of Transportation and other stakeholders to implement the Pre and Post-Crash Initiative for the Road Transportation Sector in Nigeria. This initiative aims to enhance the safety and security of passengers during transit.
“RTEAN is partnering with the Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Police Force, and the Directorate of Road Traffic Services to enforce compliance. We urge the public to avoid using unregistered vehicles for their safety,” the statement read.
This initiative marks a proactive step towards addressing the critical issue of road safety in Nigeria, aiming to improve survival rates and reduce fatalities on the roads.