80% Of Accidents Caused By Human Error – FRSC

The Ebonyi?Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr?Jide?Fehintola, has said that 80 per cent of road crashes in Nigeria was caused by human error.

Fehintola?gave the figure in?Abakaliki?on Thursday when he paid a condolence visit to the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) on the recent death of its national officers in a road crash.

“Though we cannot ascertain the actual cause of the crash, over-speeding, dangerous overtaking, and making or answering calls while driving, among others, constitute human errors that lead to crashes. Motorists should obey road signs and realise that it is only the living that get to destinations,” he said.

Fehintola?called on journalists to assist the commission to disseminate information about road crashes to reduce the scourge in the country.

“We are partners in this onerous task of enlightening the people to obey traffic regulations as the road carnage in the country is alarming,’’ he said.

Chairman of the Ebonyi council of the union, Mrs Veronica?Osim, thanked the sector commander for the visit and described the death of the officials as tragic and unfortunate.

“They died when their services were mostly needed in the profession, as they were agitating for enhancement of journalists’ welfare,” she said.

Osim?said that governments and employers of labour should ensure the enhancement of journalists’ pay packages and their general welfare.

“The hazardous nature of our job is not commensurate with our earnings as this has a negative effect on the profession,’’ she said.

She called on journalists to embrace the insurance policy instituted by the union, saying it was in their overall interest to do so.

“The benefits might not be equated with loss of lives, but it can alleviate the sufferings of journalists’ dependants at times such as this,” she said.