By Ibironke Ariyo
The Professional Driving and Safety Academy (PDSA), in collaboration with national and international stakeholders in the transport sector, has launched the Best Driver in Nigeria 2024 competition and free road safety training for drivers across the country.
Speaking at a press conference to officially launch the program on Thursday in Abuja, PDSA Registrar and Director General Jide Owatunmise said driving remains one of the most complex tasks.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the meeting was: “Driver training, recognition and motivation: key tools to reduce road accidents.”
Owatunmise said several national and global research reports confirmed that more than 80 percent of traffic accidents were caused by human factors, while more than 70 percent were attributable to drivers.
He said that if the causal factors associated with drivers were effectively addressed, the rate of traffic accidents could be significantly and sustainably reduced.
He further said that no matter how high the rate of accidents, injuries, and deaths may be, they can be prevented with sufficient knowledge and compliance with traffic rules.
However, he stated that currently, more than 70 percent of all classes of drivers know little or nothing about safety measures.
According to him, vehicle technology has changed, traffic rules are updated regularly, the physical and mental fitness of drivers is not static and the road environment is also dynamic, among other developments.
“Section 57(1) of the National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR 2012 and Amendments 2016) clearly states that drivers (and passengers) must complete at least nine hours of vocational training before each renewal of their driving license.
“The resolutions of the National Council of Transport (NCT, December 8, 2022) also reiterated that employers of drivers, and even private vehicle drivers, should periodically conduct seminars on driving and road safety in Nigeria to reduce the number of casualties of traffic accidents. in Nigeria to reduce roads.
“However, it is discouraging that more than 80 percent of drivers do not comply with the provisions of the NRTR and NCT resolutions on the need to regularly update knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards driving in Nigeria.
“Driving is one of the most complex tasks, as it requires the simultaneous use of eyes, ears, and nose to gather information.
“The brain is also needed to interpret the collected information and the hands and legs to apply the interpreted information in an ever-changing environment to improve effective and safe control of the vehicle,” he said.
The registrar said investigation reports revealed that most government MDAS, private sector organisations, professional divers, and personal vehicle drivers were not complying with the provisions of the laws.
He said that the law provides for mandatory regular training and added that everyone complains about the lack of time and/or money for regular training and some do not even know the existence of the laws and decisions.
He added that given the high number of road accidents, injuries, and deaths in Nigeria, there is an urgent need to close the gaps to ensure safety on Nigerian roads.
According to him, our organization, in collaboration with various road safety stakeholders, initiated and inaugurated the Annual Driver’s Day in Nigeria on November 15, 2023.
He said: “The event was attended by representatives of relevant stakeholders including the Ministry of Transport, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Directorate of Road Services (VIOS), State Drivers Institute of Lagos (LASDRI), transport unions, NGOs/OSC, the media and driving schools, among others.
“The expanded 2024 edition of the annual Drivers Day will include three event branches: Nigeria’s Best Drivers Competition and Free Road Safety Training, an International Drivers Conference and Awards for deserving organisations and individuals in the transport and road safety sector.”
“The aim is to work with all stakeholders to promote policies, initiatives, and activities that will effectively improve road safety education and safer use of roads in Nigeria.
“Our objective is to promote road safety education, improve road safety awareness, reinforce the importance of drivers and motorcyclists in preventing RTC, and increase the motivation of drivers and motorcyclists to improve performance and safety.”
“Other objectives are to significantly reduce the RTC, injury, and fatality rate, emphasize the fact that road safety is a shared responsibility, and promote a culture of road safety for all road users in Nigeria.”
Owatunmise said the competition was not a lottery, adding that there would be no draw as the process was transparent.
“There is no loser,” he says.
Representatives of various stakeholders such as FRSC, DRTS, Women Drivers Association of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mayors of VIO Federation, and others who were present at the briefing pledged their support for the 2024 National Driving Day competition.
NAN says that special prizes, certificates of participation, driving books, safety tips, and other packages will be awarded to participants and staff of participating organizations.
The best driver will receive a car valued at N20 million, the first placer N5 million, the second placer N3 million, the fourth to tenth placers N1 million each, and various consolation prizes for all other participants.
Registration to participate will begin on Friday, June 28, nationwide with a fee of N2,000. The free road safety training and screening will begin in July, with the grand finale taking place on November 21, 2024.
