Latest news with #roadaccidents
Associated Press
a day ago
- General
- Associated Press
Road accident in northern Nigeria kills 22 athletes returning from a sports festival
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A bus veered off a bridge in Nigeria's northern state of Kano, killing at least 22 athletes returning home from a sports festival and leaving several other passengers injured, the state's governor said. The cause of the accident, which happened on Saturday, was not immediately known. The athletes had taken part in the Nigerian National Sports Festival in the southern state of Ogun over the last week. The driver appeared to lose control of the bus and the vehicle, with over 30 passengers, plunged off the Chiromawa Bridge on the Kano-Zaria expressway, according to Abba Kabir Yusuf, the governor of Kano. Survivors of the crash were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Yusuf said the athletes, who were accompanied by their coaches and sporting officials, were representing Kano at the sports festival, a major multi-sports event that bringing together athletes from the country's 35 states every two years. The governor declared Monday a day of mourning for the state. The families of the victims are to receive 1 million naira (about $630) and food supplies as support, Kano's deputy governor, Aminu Gwarzo, said. Road accidents are frequent in Africa's most populous country, in part due to poor road conditions and lax enforcement of traffic laws. In March, at least six people died near Nigeria's capital of Abuja after a trailer crashed into parked vehicles and burst into flames.
Arab News
2 days ago
- General
- Arab News
21 athletes killed in Nigeria road crash
ABUJA: A bus crash on a Nigerian highway on Saturday killed 21 athletes returning from a national sports tournament, with authorities saying the accident might have been the result of driver fatigue or excessive speed. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said the afternoon crash, which did not involve other vehicles, 'might have occurred as a result of fatigue and excessive speed' after a long overnight trip. The athletes were returning to Kano, in Nigeria's north, from the 22nd National Sports Festival, held around 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) to the south in Ogun state. President Bola Tinubu had recently said the games, which included sports ranging from wheelchair basketball to traditional west African wrestling, represented 'the unity, strength and resilience that define us as a nation.' Road accidents are common on Nigeria's poorly maintained roads due largely to speeding and a disregard for traffic rules. Last year Nigeria recorded 9,570 road accidents that resulted in 5,421 deaths, according to FRSC data.
Khaleej Times
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
Dh500 fine in UAE: Over 37,000 drivers penalised for unsafe tyres in 2024
With temperatures continuing to soar during the summer, authorities across the UAE urged motorists to ensure their vehicle tyres are safe and roadworthy to avoid deadly accidents. According to the Ministry of Interior, last year alone, 20 drivers across the country were involved in road accidents caused by tyre blowouts while driving. These included 11 incidents in Abu Dhabi, seven in Dubai, and two in Ras Al Khaimah. More than 37,900 drivers were fined in 2024 for operating vehicles with unsafe or worn-out tyres. As per the Federal Traffic Law, driving with unfit tyres carries a fine of Dh500, four black points, and a seven-day vehicle impoundment. The violations were distributed as follows: 26,413 in Abu Dhabi, 3,316 in Dubai, 4,099 in Sharjah, 1,617 in Ajman, 1,790 in Ras Al Khaimah, 80 in Umm Al Quwain, and 599 in Fujairah, based on the Ministry's online traffic safety statistics. Lt Colonel Rashid Humaid Bin Hindi, deputy director of the Ajman Traffic and Patrol Department, highlighted the importance of regularly checking the safety and condition of tyres, especially on highways. He warned that tyres often fail to withstand the extreme heat during summer, leading to serious accidents. Motorists were urged to inspect tyre pressure, verify the manufacturing date, and ensure that tyres are not worn out or damaged. He also advised drivers planning long-distance road trips to exercise extra caution. 'Drivers should understand traffic regulations at their destination, plan their route, and be ready for potential hazards. They should also know how to respond in case of a tyre burst and carry proper safety equipment in their vehicle,' Lt. Colonel Bin Hindi said. Colonel Mohammad Alai Al Naqbi, Director of the Traffic and Patrols Department at Sharjah Police, identified five key factors contributing to tyre explosions. These include overloading the vehicle beyond the tyre's capacity, incorrect air pressure, excessive speeding that exceeds the tyre's design rating, friction between tyres and hot asphalt surfaces, and prior misuse, such as driving over unsuitable terrains. All of these significantly increase the risk of blowouts during high-temperature conditions. Check the key factors contributing blowouts: He stressed the need to use only high-quality, approved tyres and avoid counterfeit or second-hand options, especially during the summer. Traffic departments in Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain reaffirmed their commitment to raising awareness about tyre safety in coordination with the Ministry of Interior's quarterly traffic campaigns. These initiatives aim to educate drivers on tyre maintenance, promote road safety culture, and encourage safe mobility using advanced traffic systems. The departments also conduct seasonal awareness drives every summer, offering guidance on avoiding overloading, maintaining proper tyre pressure, and following safe driving practices. These efforts aim to protect lives and property and promote a responsible driving culture on UAE roads.
Malay Mail
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
One death every 36 hours in Malaysia from lorry crashes, with speeding and poor maintenance key causes, study shows
KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — A new study has revealed that fatal road accidents involving heavy vehicles like lorries and trailers have claimed at least 1,457 lives over the past six years, with highways emerging as the deadliest routes. At least one life is lost every 36 hours due to fatal accidents involving lorries or trailers. Harian Metro (HM) reported that the study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) found that lorry accidents on highways are more likely to result in fatalities compared to other roads such as Federal roads, state roads, and municipal roads. Factors such as high speed and overloaded lorries contribute to a higher risk of fatality, especially when accidents occur on bends. Road safety activist Datuk Mohamad Hisham Shafe said the 1,457 deaths were linked to 3,500 lorry accidents nationwide over the six-year period. The average frequency was one lorry accident every 2,164 minutes — or roughly every one day and 12 hours. He noted that accidents involving heavy vehicles carry a higher fatality risk due to their size and collision impact. He also highlighted 473 serious injuries and 1,076 minor injuries linked to such crashes. 'Lorries are heavy vehicles that cause significant impact during collisions, especially when travelling at high speeds on highways,' he told HM yesterday. Hisham said long working hours often lead to driver fatigue, while excessive workloads and unbalanced cargo contribute to vehicle instability. He added that many lorries do not undergo proper maintenance, affecting their long-distance performance. 'Mechanical failure in lorries is one of the main causes of road accidents, and it's not a new issue — in fact, it has often been raised by the authorities. 'Miros studies have also revealed that only 32 per cent of public transport and commercial vehicle operators complied with the Industrial Code of Practice for Transport Safety (ICOP) in 2022,' he was quoted as saying. Hisham said these figures reflect a lack of seriousness in commercial vehicle safety, with some operators continuing to skip maintenance checks and use retreaded tyres.
Malay Mail
15-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Revoke licences, not just fine drivers, Selangor Sultan says after fatal FRU crash in Perak
SHAH ALAM, May 15 — The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has urged the government to take serious heed of road accidents, particularly those involving heavy vehicles. In a post on the Selangor Royal Office Facebook page, His Royal Highness said that in view of the increasing number of accidents and similar tragedies, firmer and more immediate action must be taken by the authorities to address the matter. The Ruler expressed that if any party is found guilty and responsible for fatal accidents or incidents causing serious injuries, the drivers and company owners of heavy vehicles involved should not only be fined or imprisoned, but their driving licences should also be revoked. He said that such action would serve as a lesson to other drivers to be more cautious and to give undivided attention while driving. In the same post, the monarch and Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Hajah Norashikin, conveyed their condolences to the families of the nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel who perished in the horrific accident in Teluk Intan, Perak, on Tuesday. Their Royal Highnesses also expressed sadness and sorrow over the heartbreaking tragedy that befell all the victims involved. In the 8 am incident on Tuesday, nine FRU personnel were killed and eight others injured after the truck they were travelling in collided with a lorry carrying a load of stones at the junction of Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam, Teluk Intan. Sultan Sharafuddin further urged companies operating lorries, buses and heavy vehicles to conduct strict evaluations in selecting drivers and assistants, and reminded all parties not to take lightly matters that could lead to negligence such as vehicle condition and driver qualifications. 'His Royal Highness hopes and prays that such tragic accidents will no longer occur, especially those involving the loss of innocent lives, particularly among those serving for the nation's peace,' the post read. — Bernama
