The Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has called on transport workers to embrace the Pre and Post-Crash Initiative for the Road Transportation Sector.
The initiative, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Transportation and stakeholders, aims to reduce road traffic crashes and ensure victims receive prompt attention.
In a statement signed by its President, Musa Maitakobi, and National Secretary, Comrade Yusuf Adeniyi, RTEAN noted that the directive is part of fulfilling the mandate of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, which aims to reduce fatalities from road traffic crashes by 50 percent before 2030.
The Union expressed regret that every year in Nigeria, road traffic crashes (RTCs) and accidents claim thousands of lives and cause varying degrees of bodily harm to many people.
RTEAN highlighted that, on several occasions, victims of road accidents are left unattended at the crash site, which reduces their chances of survival. Furthermore, many survivors are burdened with substantial medical and emergency treatment costs.
“As such, in a bid to address this problem, the Federal Ministry of Transportation, in collaboration with stakeholders in the transportation sector, has fully commenced the implementation of the Pre and Post-Crash Initiative for the Road Transportation Sector in Nigeria,” the statement said.
Additionally, the Union disclosed that the initiative seeks to ensure that all vehicles, whether private or commercial, acquire lifesaving tools and skills in accordance with the National Road Traffic Regulation (NRTR) 2012 and the Nigerian Highway Code.
It added, “The Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), empowered by its establishing Act, is mandating all commercial transport vehicles (inter and intra-state) to ensure the safety and security of all passengers and commuters by registering their vehicles under the Pre and Post-Crash Initiative for the Road Transportation Sector in Nigeria, especially during this festive period, which records a high volume of passenger movement across the country as well as a high rate of casualties from RTCs/accidents.”
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“This is to ensure that all passengers and commuters are well-protected and secured while in transit through the benefits attached to the Pre and Post-Crash Initiative for the Road Transportation Sector in Nigeria.”
RTEAN is partnering with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (VIO) to ensure maximum compliance.
The union warned that any commercial vehicle that does not comply with the directive by November 2024 shall be arrested and fined.
“RTEAN shall also advocate through all relevant channels that members of the public should not patronize any unregistered vehicle for their own safety and security,” it added.
RTEAN listed some of the importance of the initiative, which includes the acquisition of standardized and recommended vehicle first aid kits as stipulated by the National Road Traffic Regulation (NRTR) 2012 and the Nigerian Highway Code.
It stated that the vehicle first aid kit is designed to help first responders attend to RTC/accident victims, giving them a fighting chance at life before the emergency response unit arrives.
The Union also mentioned that there would be death benefit coverage of N1.5 million for each occupant of the registered vehicle, along with medical and emergency treatment coverage of N1 million for each occupant of the registered vehicle.
