Vincent Toritseju
Lagos — Stakeholders at the just concluded 10th edition of the Nigeria Transport Lecture have said that research has shown that the use of fake automobile spare parts has led to increase accidents on Nigerian roads.
Speaking at the lecture, Director General of the National Automobile Design and Development Council, NADDC, Mr. Joseph Osanipin said that statistical figures on road accidents are alarming adding that every year, commercial vehicles record the highest number of casualties.
Osanipin also said that records from the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics a total of 2,717 road accidents in Q4 2023, showing an increase of 24.23 percent from Q3 2023, which saw 2,187 car crashes.
The NBS report further revealed that commercial vehicles were the most affected by road accidents in Q4 2023, with 2,306 accidents noting that the North-Central region experienced the highest number of accidents, followed by the South-West and South-South, with the North-Central region also having the highest number of casualties.
According to the report, in terms of injuries sustained, more males (adults and children) were injured from the crashes compared to females (adults and children).
“So many substandard auto components have been linked to a number of fatal accidents.’ The report said
He said: “Multifaceted challenges like inadequate road infrastructure, poor road conditions, like potholes and lack of signage and several other factors contribute to this alarming situation a development that significantly increase accident risks.
“A large number of unmaintained vehicles with faulty brakes, tires, and lighting systems driver behavior, distracted driving, speeding, and disregard for traffic rules pose a safety threat.
“Substandard automotive spare parts in motor vehicles often function improperly, or fail prematurely causing damages or drastic loss of efficiency to the affected vehicle.
“The implication of the failure of such substandard safety parts in vehicles is often very severe, leading in some cases to road crashes that could cause loss of lives, and in most cases resulting in financial losses, not just to vehicle owner but also to other road users.
Similarly, Dr. Bayero Farah, Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, NITT, said that about 65% of accidents are as a result of violations to traffic rules.
Farah explained that the current trends in the nation’s road transport industry are showcasing an unprecedented growth in the number of accidents with the corresponding growth in fatalities adding that the picture has not changed for well over three decades.
