Vehicle overloading endangers lives, damages roads, FRSC warns

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued a stark warning about the dangers of vehicle overloading, which endangers lives, damages roads and undermines Nigeria's transportation economy. Speaking at the National Breakfast Policy Dialogue and launch of the National Movement for Safe Loading and Safe Roads, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed emphasized that overloading is not just a traffic violation but a broader issue affecting road safety, infrastructure, logistics and economic development.

Mohammed explained that excessive loads compromise a vehicle's braking, steering and stability, accelerate deterioration and increase crash risks. He added that improperly loaded vehicles, with incompatible or dangerous cargo in poor condition, create serious risks to drivers, passengers and other road users. He stressed that no reduction in transportation costs or commercial benefit is worth risking human life, and urged that vehicles should only carry loads they are designed, licensed and safely configured to transport.

The FRSC Marshal noted that Nigeria's dependence on the safe movement of essential goods, such as agricultural produce, raw materials and manufactured goods, makes road safety crucial for economic development. He emphasized that a safe transportation system is not an impediment to economic growth; it is a foundation for it. He also highlighted that the consequences of overloading are borne by various sectors, including government, road users, businesses and families affected by crashes.

Mohammed called for a shared responsibility among all stakeholders involved in cargo handling, including cargo owners, shippers, loading agents, transporters, fleet operators, drivers, regulators and government. He urged cargo owners to accurately declare weights and demand safe loading, while operators should maintain vehicles and comply with weight limits. Drivers were advised to reject unsafe, improperly mixed or inadequately secured loads.

The FRSC Marshal stressed that enforcement alone cannot end overloading and called for collective action. He urged stakeholders to adopt and sign the Abuja Declaration 2026, a national compact containing clear responsibilities, measurable commitments, timelines and mechanisms for monitoring progress.