FRSC Warns Motorists Against Night Driving as Fatal Crashes Rise

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued a renewed warning to motorists across Nigeria, urging them to avoid unnecessary night driving following a noticeable rise in fatal road crashes recorded during late-night and early-morning hours on major highways nationwide.

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According to the Corps, recent accident data shows that a significant percentage of deadly crashes occur between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., a period often characterised by poor visibility, driver fatigue, excessive speeding, and reduced enforcement presence on some routes.

The warning comes amid a spate of fatal crashes reported across several states, including Kogi, Ogun, Jigawa, and Nasarawa, many of which occurred at night or in the early hours of the morning.

FRSC officials identified several factors that make night driving particularly dangerous on Nigerian roads, including:

• Poor or non-functional street lighting on highways
• Reduced visibility due to headlight glare and weather conditions
• Increased cases of driver fatigue and drowsiness
• Overspeeding caused by lighter traffic
• Broken-down or stationary vehicles without reflective warnings
• Presence of articulated trucks parked improperly on highways

The Corps noted that many fatal collisions at night involve vehicles crashing into stationary trucks or trailers, a recurring pattern that has claimed hundreds of lives in recent years.

While night driving is risky nationwide, FRSC identified certain highways as particularly dangerous after dark due to traffic volume, road conditions, and truck activity. These include:

• Lagos–Ibadan Expressway
• Abuja–Lokoja Highway
• Enugu–Onitsha Expressway
• Zaria–Kano Road
• Benin–Ore Highway

Motorists travelling on these routes at night have been advised to exercise extreme caution or reschedule trips for daylight hours where possible.

The FRSC urged drivers who must travel at night to observe the following safety measures:

• Ensure vehicle headlights and brake lights are fully functional
• Avoid speeding regardless of road emptiness
• Watch out for broken-down vehicles and trailers
• Take regular breaks to prevent fatigue
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs

The Corps also called on transport companies and fleet operators to discourage overnight trips that put drivers and passengers at heightened risk.

Road safety advocates have welcomed the advisory but stressed the need for stronger enforcement, improved road lighting, and stricter penalties for truck drivers who abandon broken-down vehicles on highways without warning signs.

They also called on state and federal authorities to prioritise road infrastructure improvements, noting that warnings alone may not be sufficient without structural safety upgrades.