In Nigeria, much of the road safety conversation has historically centered on speeding, rightly so, as it accounts for a significant proportion of fatal crashes.

Also Read: Phone Distractions: The Silent Killer on Lagos Roads

Yet, beneath the surface, another epidemic is silently claiming lives at an alarming rate: distracted driving. From drivers scrolling through WhatsApp messages, taking TikTok videos behind the wheel, eating suya on steering, or even adjusting makeup during Lagos traffic, distractions are now proving deadlier than speeding in several regions.

The New Road Killer

Recent World Health Organization (WHO) findings and studies from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) reveal that distracted driving contributes to an estimated 18–22% of serious crashes in Nigeria, rivaling global averages. In states like Lagos, Rivers, and Abuja, distraction-related accidents have doubled in the past five years, often surpassing speed-related crashes during peak traffic hours.

Unlike speeding, which is visible and enforceable via speed guns, distractions are harder to catch. A driver can appear compliant at 50 km/h but is still dangerous if their eyes are on a phone instead of the road.

Real-Life Case Studies

Lekki-Epe Expressway, 2024: A Toyota Corolla driver, distracted while filming a Snapchat video, swerved into an oncoming tanker, resulting in a four-car pile-up that left 3 dead and 7 injured.

Abuja Airport Road, 2023: A banker on a video call veered off the highway into a drainage channel, narrowly escaping death but causing gridlock for hours.

Port Harcourt, 2022: A distracted truck driver eating behind the wheel rammed into roadside traders, killing two instantly.

These stories show the human cost of what many Nigerians still dismiss as “small mistakes.”

Why Nigerians are Easily Distracted Behind the Wheel

1. High Smartphone Usage: Nigeria ranks among the top 10 countries for mobile internet usage in Africa, making phones constant companions.

2. Traffic Stress: With Lagos and Abuja ranked among Africa’s worst congested cities, drivers often use downtime to scroll through social media, not realizing the sudden stop-start risk.

3. Cultural Laxity on Road Laws: While speeding fines exist, few laws directly penalize distracted driving in Nigeria. This gap fuels risky habits.

4. Poor Awareness Campaigns: Unlike campaigns against drunk driving, there is little to no nationwide sensitization on distractions.

Global Comparisons

In the United States, distracted driving kills an estimated 3,000 people annually, prompting states to introduce “hands-free” laws. In South Africa, similar enforcement is now reducing deaths. Nigeria lags far behind in implementing such laws.

The Cost of Distraction

Lives lost: Thousands of preventable deaths yearly.

Economic impact: According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), road crashes drain over ₦450 billion annually from the economy.

Psychological scars: Survivors and families live with trauma long after the accident.

Solutions Nigeria Needs Now

1. Legislation: Urgent introduction of hands-free laws with real penalties for phone use while driving.

2. FRSC Tech Enforcement: Use of dashcams, CCTV, and AI monitoring in cities like Lagos and Abuja.

3. Public Education Campaigns: Nationwide media push similar to the anti-drunk driving campaigns of the 2000s.

4. Corporate Policies: Uber, Bolt, and fleet managers should adopt strict “no distraction” clauses for drivers.

5. Personal Discipline: Drivers must learn that no call, message, or video is worth a human life.

Conclusion

The silent epidemic of distracted driving is fast overtaking speeding as Nigeria’s biggest road killer. If left unchecked, this habit could worsen Nigeria’s already dire road fatality statistics. It is not enough to control speed; Nigeria must also take the war against distraction seriously.

Every day, Lagos roads echo with the blaring horns of impatient drivers, the screech of brakes, and the sirens of ambulances. Beneath the chaos lies a silent but deadly threat: distracted driving caused by phone use.

Also Read: Lagos contemplates Flying Cars as a solutions to traffic Congestion

Studies show that more than 70% of Lagos drivers admit to texting, browsing, or making calls while driving, a dangerous behavior that continues to claim lives across Nigeria’s busiest city.

This report dives into the scale of the problem, why it persists despite existing laws, and what must change to curb this crisis.

Distracted Driving: The Hidden Epidemic

Driving in Lagos is already a mental workout. Navigating potholes, unpredictable danfo buses, and aggressive okada riders requires full concentration. Yet, thousands of motorists regularly divide their attention between the road and their glowing phone screens.

According to a 2024 FRSC (Federal Road Safety Corps) safety review, distracted driving contributed to nearly 15% of reported crashes in Lagos State. This means that at least one in ten accidents could have been avoided if drivers had kept their eyes on the road.

The reality is simple: a car traveling at 100 km/h covers almost 28 meters in one second. A driver glancing at a WhatsApp notification for just three seconds has effectively driven blind for nearly 85 meters, enough to miss a pedestrian, rear-end another vehicle, or veer into oncoming traffic.

Real-Life Tragedies That Could Have Been Prevented

• Ikorodu Expressway (June 2025): A private car driver lost control while replying to a text. The vehicle rammed into a tricycle, leaving two passengers dead on the spot.
• Third Mainland Bridge (April 2025): Witnesses reported that a commercial bus driver was on a call when he failed to notice traffic building ahead. The bus rear-ended multiple cars, causing a pileup that injured at least six people.
• Lekki–Epe Road (February 2025): A young graduate live-streaming on Instagram while driving lost her life after swerving into a drainage ditch.

These stories are not isolated. They represent an ongoing disaster that remains underreported because most drivers are reluctant to admit being on their phones at the time of an accident.

Why Drivers Still Take the Risk

Despite campaigns, penalties, and road safety warnings, phone use while driving continues. Why?

1. Weak Enforcement: FRSC laws forbid phone use while driving, but enforcement is inconsistent. Many offenders go unpunished or bribe their way out.
2. Addiction to Connectivity: Lagosians are deeply tied to instant communication, often prioritizing calls, business deals, or social media updates over road safety.
3. Underestimation of Risk: Many drivers believe they are skilled enough to multitask, a dangerous illusion that statistics consistently disprove.

The Global Context: Nigeria is Not Alone

Globally, distracted driving is recognized as one of the leading causes of road accidents. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that drivers using phones are four times more likely to be involved in a crash.

Countries like the UK, Australia, and the United States have enforced strict penalties and invested heavily in awareness campaigns. In some cities, cameras automatically detect phone use while driving, ensuring penalties without human intervention. Nigeria, however, is still lagging behind.

Possible Solutions for Lagos and Beyond

To fight this epidemic, a combination of law enforcement, education, and technology must be deployed:

• Automated Surveillance: Install AI-powered cameras on major highways to detect phone use.
• Harsher Penalties: Increase fines and introduce temporary license suspensions for repeat offenders.
• Employer Responsibility: Many drivers multitask on business calls. Employers must be held accountable for insisting employees answer calls while driving.
• Grassroots Campaigns: Churches, mosques, and community groups must be engaged to reframe distracted driving as a moral failure, not just a legal one.
• Technology Aids: Encourage use of hands-free devices and apps that automatically block notifications while driving.

Expert Opinion

Road safety analyst Chinedu Nwosu explains:

“Distracted driving is not just carelessness; it is as dangerous as drunk driving. Until Nigerians accept that, we will continue to lose innocent lives on our highways.”

Conclusion

The Lagos driver’s obsession with the phone has turned steering wheels into ticking time bombs. Each missed call or unread message is less important than the lives lost daily. Until drivers, regulators, and communities unite to treat distracted driving with the urgency it deserves, Lagos roads will remain scenes of unnecessary tragedy.

Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, has seen explosive population growth and rapid motorization over the past two decades.

Also Read: How FRSC Is Rewriting Nigeria’s Road Safety Rulebook

With over 2.5 million registered vehicles nationwide by 2024 (FRSC data), the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is feeling the pinch of vehicle congestion and inadequate parking infrastructure. From Wuse Market to Area 1, from Jabi to Garki, car parks both formal and makeshift now dominate once-free spaces, changing how residents commute and interact with their city.

But behind the convenience lies a silent safety crisis. Many of these car parks emerge from poor regulation: street curbs, road medians, under-bridges, and even pedestrian walkways are now commandeered by informal attendants. The ripple effect is profound, traffic obstruction, reduced sight distance for drivers, sudden pedestrian crossings, and even increased accident rates.

Where the problem is most visible

A quick tour across Abuja highlights the hotspots:

1. Wuse Market & Berger Junction: Congestion peaks daily as informal attendants usher vehicles into narrow lanes, forcing buses and cars into conflict.
2. Jabi Motor Park & Utako axis: The hub of intercity travel, where thousands of vehicles stop, load, and park without strict coordination, often spilling onto expressways.
3. Central Business District (CBD): Despite well-marked lots, overflow pushes drivers onto sidewalks, creating blind spots and exposing pedestrians to risks.

FRSC officials admit that while designated car parks exist, enforcement gaps allow informal operations to thrive. As one senior officer told RoadKing.ng, “The truth is, when demand is far higher than supply, drivers will obey the park boys before they obey traffic laws.”

The hidden dangers

The hazards extend beyond mere congestion. Here’s what RoadKing.ng observed:

1. Reduced emergency access: Ambulances and fire trucks struggle to cut through areas like Wuse or Garki during peak hours because double-parked vehicles block lanes.
2. Pedestrian vulnerability: Cars parked across walkways force people to step into active traffic lanes, exposing them to speeding motorists.
3. Accident clusters: Informal car parks near junctions, like Apo Roundabout, lead to sudden braking and side-swipes, common causes of urban crashes.
4. Crime and extortion: With no formal oversight, attendants often harass drivers for arbitrary “parking fees” without guarantees of vehicle security.

Voices from the ground

“I almost hit a pedestrian last week because someone suddenly opened a car door into the lane at Wuse Zone 5. These parks are accidents waiting to happen.” — Chinonso, ride-hailing driver.

“It’s either you pay ₦200 for a spot by the curb or circle endlessly in traffic. What choice do we have?” — Zainab, civil servant working in Area 3.

Urban planners also weigh in. Professor Adetunji, a transport systems expert, argues that Abuja is facing the same problem Lagos faced in the early 2000s: vehicle growth without proportional infrastructure. “If government doesn’t expand formal parking while curbing illegal ones, Abuja’s road crash rate will keep climbing,” he warns.

Lessons from other cities

Globally, cities have tackled parking and road safety through innovation:

• London & New York: Multi-level car parks, congestion pricing, and strict curbside enforcement.
• Nairobi: Digital parking meters reduce corruption and eliminate informal attendants.
• Johannesburg: Clear zoning laws ensure bus stops and pedestrian areas remain obstruction-free.

Abuja could adopt hybrid solutions, combining digital fee systems, expanded park-and-ride hubs, and real-time enforcement using CCTV-backed fines.

RoadKing.ng analysis: what must be done

1. Formalize & expand car parks: Build multi-level facilities in high-density areas like Wuse Market and Utako. Designate clear lay-bys for taxis, buses, and ride-hailing vehicles.
2. Crack down on informal operators: Police and FRSC must run joint sweeps to remove park boys. Introduce digital ticketing, ensuring payments go directly to city revenue, not private pockets.
3. Prioritize pedestrian safety: Mark zebra crossings and bollard sidewalks near known choke points. Enforce strict penalties for blocking walkways.
4. Public education & behavior change: Campaigns warning drivers that illegal parking creates crash risks. Promote public transport, carpooling, and ride-hailing as alternatives to individual car use.

Why this matters

Car parks may seem harmless, but in Abuja they are morphing into road hazards that endanger lives daily. As the FCT grows, balancing mobility, safety, and order is no longer optional, it’s urgent. If left unchecked, Abuja risks repeating Lagos’ chaotic congestion model, where illegal parking and weak enforcement fueled accident spikes.