Urgent Call for Defensive Driving to Reduce Road Deaths

In Nigeria, road safety expert Ozoya Izegegb has called for motorists to adopt defensive driving practices to mitigate the alarming rate of road fatalities. This advice comes in light of a series of serious vehicular accidents across the country.

Defensive driving involves maintaining safe following distances, reducing speed, particularly at night, and staying alert to unexpected obstacles. Izegegb highlighted that speeding remains a major contributor to severe highway crashes, accounting for 41% of incidents, as drivers often fail to detect hazards in time.

He noted the challenges posed by weak enforcement and poor infrastructure, which complicate the promotion of a defensive driving culture. Izegegb also pointed out the need for the Federal Road Safety Commission to implement long-term defensive driving training programs and refresh courses for drivers every six months.

Recent tragedies, including the deaths of two boxing champions in January 2026 due to reckless driving, underscore the urgent need for improved road safety education and practices.