Imagine driving at 100 km/h on the highway, confidently pressing your brake pedal to slow down, only to discover it sinks straight to the floor, no response, no resistance, nothing but a nightmare.

Also Read: 10 Things You Should Never Do When Your Car Breaks Down on the Road

This is the terrifying reality of brake failure, one of the deadliest mechanical faults that can strike without warning.

Across Nigeria, road accident investigations frequently point to brake failure as a leading mechanical cause of fatal crashes. From overloaded trucks losing control on steep slopes to commuter buses plunging into ditches, the consequences are catastrophic.

Why Brake Failure Happens

Brake systems are designed with multiple safeguards, but poor maintenance, negligence, and extreme conditions often push them to breaking point. Common causes include:

1. Worn Brake Pads: Pads that are too thin lose friction, reducing stopping power.

2. Leaking Brake Fluid: A fluid leak anywhere in the hydraulic system makes braking ineffective.

3. Overheated Brakes: Continuous braking during long downhill drives can cause “brake fade.”

4. Faulty Master Cylinder: The heart of the braking system; once it fails, the entire system collapses.

5. Overloaded Vehicles: Trucks and buses carrying weight far above their capacity place extreme stress on brakes.

Nigeria’s Harsh Reality

On Ore-Benin Highway, one of the most notorious crash zones in the country, multiple tanker and trailer accidents have been linked to failed brakes while descending steep gradients.

In March 2024, an articulated truck with brake failure rammed into several vehicles at a market in Akungba, Ondo State, killing 12 people.

FRSC records show that about 15% of Nigeria’s fatal crashes annually are directly tied to brake-related issues.

The situation is worsened by poor road design. Roads like Lokoja-Abuja have dangerous slopes without escape lanes, meaning a driver whose brakes fail has little chance of survival.

What To Do If Your Brakes Fail

Few drivers are trained on how to handle sudden brake loss. Here’s a survival guide:

1. Stay Calm: Panicking wastes precious seconds. Grip the wheel firmly.

2. Pump the Brakes: If hydraulic pressure is low, pumping might restore temporary braking.

3. Use the Handbrake: Apply gradually. A sudden pull can make the car spin.

4. Downshift Gears: In manual cars, shift to lower gears to use engine braking. In automatic cars, shift to “L” or “2.”

5. Steer to Safety: Aim for the roadside, guardrails, or a grassy verge. Avoid pedestrians.

6. Honking & Hazard Lights: Alert other drivers that your vehicle is out of control.

Preventing Brake Failure

The best defense is prevention. Nigerian drivers must embrace proactive maintenance:

• Routine Checks – Inspect brake pads, discs, and fluid every 5,000 km.
• Avoid Overloading – Stick to vehicle weight limits; FRSC must enforce stricter weighbridge checks.
• Fluid Replacement – Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time; replace every 2 years.
• Use Escape Routes – On hilly highways, drivers should always identify safety zones in case of emergencies.
• Driver Training – Commercial drivers need practical training on handling mechanical emergencies.

The Bigger Picture

Brake failure isn’t just a “driver’s problem.” It reflects Nigeria’s larger road safety crisis: poor regulation of commercial fleets, lack of enforcement of roadworthiness checks, and weak mechanical culture.

Until we treat preventive maintenance with the same urgency as traffic laws, Nigerians will keep paying with their lives.

Conclusion

At 100 km/h, a car without brakes is a death trap. Every driver must realize that brakes do not fail suddenly; they fail gradually and the warning signs are always there.

Road safety begins in the garage, not just on the highway.

In most developed countries, zebra crossings are sacred strips of road that guarantee pedestrians safe passage. But they are often reduced to nothing more than faded white lines, ignored by drivers and feared by pedestrians.

Also Read: Why Nigerian Pedestrians Face the Highest Risk on the Roads

Despite their purpose, zebra crossings across Nigerian cities have become death traps due to reckless driver behaviour, lack of enforcement, and poor road culture. Every day, countless Nigerians risk their lives just trying to cross the road.

The Nigerian Zebra Crossing Paradox

Globally, zebra crossings function on a trust principle: cars must stop, pedestrians must cross confidently. But in Nigeria:

• Drivers rarely yield, even when traffic lights reinforce the crossing.
• Pedestrians hesitate, knowing they are more likely to be hit than given the right of way.
• Crossings are often poorly maintained, with paint faded into near invisibility.
• This paradox turns what should be a safety measure into a hazardous gamble.

Alarming Statistics

According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), pedestrian-related accidents account for nearly 28% of road traffic fatalities in Nigeria (2024 data). In Lagos alone, over 300 pedestrian deaths were recorded in one year, many linked to failed right-of-way situations at zebra crossings and junctions.

A World Health Organization (WHO) report further highlighted that Africa bears the world’s highest pedestrian mortality rate, with Nigeria ranking among the worst-hit due to weak pedestrian infrastructure.

Voices from the Road

Chioma Eze, a university student in Enugu:

“Every time I use the zebra crossing near campus, cars zoom past like they can’t see me. I once had to jump back as a keke almost hit me. It’s terrifying.”

Mr. Olumide Ajayi, a Lagos cab driver:

“Most drivers don’t stop because they know no one enforces it. And honestly, if you stop suddenly, the car behind might ram into you.”

FRSC Officer (anonymous):

“Enforcement is difficult because many crossings are poorly located, faded, or ignored. Education and redesign are as important as penalties.”

Why Drivers Don’t Stop

Several factors explain the disregard for zebra crossings:

1. Poor Road Education – Many drivers never received formal road-safety training.
2. Cultural Attitude – Pedestrians are seen as “second-class” road users, while vehicles dominate.
3. Weak Enforcement – Rarely are fines issued for failing to yield.
4. Infrastructure Failure – Crossings are poorly marked or sited in dangerous areas (e.g., without speed bumps or lights).
5. Traffic Pressure – With congested roads, many drivers see stopping as a delay they can’t afford.

The Human Cost

For every ignored zebra crossing, there’s a victim:

• Children walking to school forced to dash dangerously across roads.
• Elderly pedestrians stranded midway, unable to outrun vehicles.
• Disabled individuals completely excluded from safe road use.

Accidents at crossings often result in severe injuries such as fractures, head trauma, and lifelong disability. Families lose breadwinners, and communities mourn preventable deaths.

What Can Be Done?

Experts suggest a multi-layered solution:

1. Redesign Crossings

Install speed bumps before zebra lines to force vehicles to slow down.

Use reflective paint and flashing beacons for night visibility.

Relocate crossings away from blind spots.

2. Enforcement & Penalties

FRSC and state traffic agencies should fine drivers who fail to yield.

Deploy traffic cameras at major crossings for automated enforcement.

3. Public Education

Integrate pedestrian safety into driving tests.

Launch nationwide campaigns on respecting zebra crossings.

4. Community Action

Residents’ associations can lobby for safer crossings in schools and markets.

NGOs can sponsor repainting and signage where government fails.

Global Lessons Nigeria Can Learn

• UK Model: Zebra crossings paired with flashing Belisha beacons.
• Japan Model: Strict penalties for non-compliance, plus community-driven maintenance.
• Kenya Example: Pedestrian bridges in high-traffic areas reduced accidents by 35%.

Adopting such approaches could drastically reduce pedestrian deaths in Nigeria.

Conclusion

Zebra crossings are supposed to protect lives, not endanger them. Yet on Nigerian roads, their current state reflects a deeper failure in road culture and governance. Until urgent reforms are made in design, enforcement, and education, every painted crossing will remain a silent reminder of lives cut short unnecessarily.

Respecting zebra crossings is not just about obeying traffic laws; it’s about acknowledging the human right to safety on the road.

Every day, lives are lost on Nigerian roads. But some highways are consistently deadlier than others.

Based on FRSC 2025 mid-year crash reports and community blackspot submissions, these are the 10 deadliest Nigerian roads in 2025 ranked by recorded fatalities, crash frequency, and severity.

Also Read: Nigeria’s Most Dangerous Routes: Death Traps and Insecurity Hotspots

1. Abuja–Lokoja Expressway

• Fatalities (Jan–June 2025): 142
• Main Causes: Speeding, tanker rollovers, erosion and sharp bends
• Notable Crash: July 2025 fuel tanker explosion killed 11
• Community Note: Several uncompleted repair sections

2. Benin–Ore–Sagamu Expressway

• Fatalities: 118
• Main Causes: Reckless overtaking, bad surface in patches, heavy truck traffic
• Notable Crash: April 2025 container truck tipped over killing bus passengers

3. Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria Road

• Fatalities: 97
• Main Causes: Overloaded trucks, high-speed head-on collisions
• Security Note: Insecurity often complicates post-crash rescue efforts

4. Onitsha–Owerri Road

• Fatalities: 91
• Main Causes: Poor drainage, brake failures on inclines, high passenger traffic

5. Kano–Katsina Highway

• Fatalities: 85
• Main Causes: Night driving, high-speed crashes, poor lighting

6. Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway

• Fatalities: 78
• Main Causes: Long-term construction zones, bad weather impacts, speeding

7. Lagos–Ibadan Expressway

• Fatalities: 74
• Main Causes: Trailer and tanker incidents, high traffic density, reckless driving

8. Makurdi–Lafia Road

• Fatalities: 63
• Main Causes: Roadside market encroachment, sudden pedestrian crossings

9. Taraba–Adamawa Corridor (Gashaka–Gumti axis)

• Fatalities: 52
• Main Causes: Sharp bends, wildlife crossings, lack of barriers

10. Owerri–Aba Road

• Fatalities: 47
• Main Causes: Bad road surface, rain-related erosion, head-on collisions

Trends & Observations

Speeding & reckless overtaking are the most common crash causes across all corridors.

Poor road surfaces and half-completed repairs amplify risk.

Heavy-duty trucks appear in more than half of major fatal crashes.

RoadKing.ng Takeaway

Nigeria’s deadliest roads follow the same pattern: bad infrastructure + reckless driving + heavy vehicle dominance.

To change this:

• Blackspot mapping must guide road repairs.
• FRSC should increase patrol and speed enforcement in identified deadly zones.
• Drivers should plan alternative safer routes where possible.