Esther Oritse
Lagos — AS the year enters its final quarter, the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) and key stakeholders in the haulage industry have raised the alarm over safety and security risks, urging truck operators to step up vigilance and strictly adhere to safety regulations to prevent avoidable accidents and operational disruptions.
The stakeholders said the call became necessary to ensure that truck owners and operators remained proactive in addressing emerging safety and security risks across the maritime transport sector.
AMATO in a statement, it stated that the final months of the year traditionally come with increased commercial activities, heavier traffic, tighter delivery schedules and greater pressure on our highways and port corridors adding that these circumstances demand that members become more careful, more disciplined, more security-conscious and more safety-conscious than ever before.
The group urged its members to take security matters seriously, stressing the need for truck drivers operating under the association to remain vigilant throughout their journeys.
The association advised drivers to avoid unnecessary stops at isolated or potentially unsafe locations and remain alert to their surroundings while on the road.
It also urged drivers to maintain regular communication with their operators, supervisors or designated contacts and promptly report any suspicious activity, security threat, accident or unusual incident.
AMATO called on its members—truck owners, operators and drivers to renew and strengthen their commitment to safe, responsible and professional haulage operations, stressing that human life must remain the overriding priority regardless of commercial pressures.
“No cargo, trip, appointment, financial target or delivery deadline is more valuable than human life.” it stated.
The association urged operators to conduct thorough pre-trip inspections before every journey, paying particular attention to tyres, brakes, lights, steering systems, wheel hubs, coupling systems and other critical components.
It warned against putting mechanically unsafe trucks on the road and advised drivers to observe speed limits, maintain safe following distances, avoid dangerous overtaking and reckless driving, and refrain from unnecessary competition with other road users.
