How drivers of unlatched container on trucks defy government regulation, endanger lives

Despite the dangers of having unlatched containers on trucks, many articulated vehicles’ drivers move around the city with containers not properly fastened to their vehicles, thereby, making government’s battle against unlatched containers to appear meaningless.

The Guardian checks revealed that some truck drivers blatantly ignore safety regulations, endangering lives. Many drivers persist in transporting unsecured loads, disregarding safety measures and endangering lives.

Despite the provisions of the National Road Traffic Regulation (NRTR) 2012, particularly Regulation 151, which mandates containers must be properly latched, truck drivers have continued to be recalcitrant, with the regulatory agencies, the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps are not doing enough to enforce the safety rules.

Although LASTMA and FRSC may claim to have engaged the truckers considering they have campaigns in that direction.

Also, the two agencies may also say they have done some enforcement, which led to the impounding of some trucks. Nonetheless, the fragrant abuse of the safety rules showed that the enforcement is minimal.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the past had launched and relaunched “Operation Scorpion” to tackle the issue of unlatched articulated trucks.

However, the number of accident from containers not latched point to the fact that government and its agencies need to do more to reign in on truck drivers with unlatched containers.

In January 2023, a truck fell on a commercial bus at Ojuelegba, inwards Fadeyi, Lagos State, in which eight lives were. And there are several cases of such accidents with lives lost.

Also, in its analysis of the 1,094 emergency incidents Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) attended to between January and August 2024, it said available records show that truck/tanker category ranks highest with 369 incidents in the last eight months. This number is made up of 244 truck accidents, seven fallen containers, 100 broken down trucks, three stuck trucks and 15 fallen truck/tankers.

Commenting on unlatched containers on trailers moving within the city, a commercial driver, Sunday Emmanuel, said that containers should be fastened using six nuts, two at the front, two in the middle, and two at the rear, after being lifted onto the truck.

He stated that improper fastening can lead to containers falling off, especially when trucks hit large potholes or experience sudden tilts. Emmanuel argued that relying on belts alone is inadequate. He advocated for the enforcement of proper fastening methods and nighttime operations to minimise accidents, as non-compliance poses grave danger to other road users.

Also, a civil servant Olusegun Obisanya shared his frustration with the prevailing situation of having a huge number of unlatched containers on trucks. He observed that many truck drivers and their associations exhibit a troubling level of carelessness regarding regulatory compliance.

He criticised the drivers for using inadequate fastening methods, including the poor maintenance of some of the trucks. Obisanya also pointed out the economic disruptions caused by strikes and lobbying efforts by truck drivers, which often lead to relaxed enforcement of regulations.

“The issue is compounded by systemic failures in enforcement. Drivers who are arrested for violations often leverage personal connections to evade punishment. This lack of stringent enforcement and accountability allows reckless behavior to persist, putting countless lives at risk,” he noted.

For a resident, Mr. Akeem Aremu a range of factors contributes to truck accidents. He said aside the containers not latched, reckless driving, dilapidated roads, and inadequate infrastructure compound the crisis.

“Many roads remain in a deplorable state, and some overhead bridge barriers meant to prevent heavy trucks from accessing certain areas have been removed, creating additional hazards.

“The broader societal impact of these issues is significant. The repeated accidents caused by unlatched containers result in severe traffic disruptions, loss of life, and extensive damage to property. The continued defiance of regulations undermines public trust in the effectiveness of road safety measures which highlights the urgent need for more rigorous enforcement and infrastructure improvements.”

Efforts to get the Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Transport, Bola Ogunlola, to responde to some of the concerns raised were unsuccessful, as she did not respond to calls or the messages sent to her.