Underage Driving Fuels Surge in Accidents Across North-East

A number of stakeholders in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe on Saturday attributed the increasing number of car accidents on the careless behaviour of inexperienced minors operating the majority of articulated vehicles.

In separate interviews in Maiduguri, Yola, and Damaturu with the News Agency of Nigeria, stakeholders expressed this position.

They noticed that the majority of the fatal incidents in the area involved young drivers, particularly those using articulated trucks.

The parents of the underage drivers were accused as well by the stakeholders of breaking traffic laws by letting their children drive without meeting the necessary driving qualifications.

In Nigeria, being at least 27 years old was one of the requirements for obtaining a driver’s license to operate an articulated vehicle.

However, even though they were under 18, the parents of the majority of these children were frequently willing to let them drive articulated vehicles.

For example, road safety stakeholders are extremely concerned about the rising number of underage driving and vehicle overloading incidents in Borno.

The increasing tendency, which resulted in many tragic incidents on routes like the Maiduguri-Kano Road, alarmed the Federal Road Safety Corps and transportation unions.

Mr. Usman Muhammad, the FRSC Sector Commander in Borno, stated that it was concerning how many children were operating motorbikes, tricycles, and even articulated vehicles.

“We have conducted several sensitisation campaigns on BRTV, Peace FM, and at major motor parks like Borno Express and Tashan Kano, warning against underage driving. Yet, we still find children below the legal driving age of 18 operating vehicles. This is unacceptable and dangerous,” Muhammad said.

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He claims that although FRSC staff and NYSC Road Safety Club members frequently participate in community awareness campaigns, the issue still exists.

He also mentioned a worrying trend in which some nursing moms were putting themselves and other drivers at risk by carrying their babies in between the wheels.

Muhammad stated that only those who are at least 18 years old are permitted to drive, and he threatened to arrest and punish anybody who does not comply.

Usman Bala, a resident of Polo neighbourhood in Maiduguri, described how two deadly collisions in his neighbourhood were brought on by the careless speeding of youngsters who had access to their parents’ cars.

“These are mostly children of rich politicians and businessmen who pick up their parents’ cars in the evening and drive recklessly.

“The situation got so bad that we had to install speed bumps to reduce crashes,” Bala said.

Similarly, the Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers in Borno, Musa Adamu said the trend was worrisome.

“It is shocking to see teenagers driving commercial buses and motorcycles.

“We have always cautioned our members against allowing underage drivers to operate within our motor parks, but some parents still encourage their children to drive at an early age. This must stop,” Adamu said.

Similarly, the FRSC Sector Commander in Adamawa, Mr Yahaya Adikwu, also reaffirmed his command’s zero tolerance for underage driving, saying it remained a serious offence.

“The first requirement at any driving school is age verification, and before any training begins, applicants must confirm they are of legal driving age.

“Underage driving is also a violation of FRSC regulations, and the corps remain committed to strict enforcement.

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“Allowing minors to drive increases the risk of road crashes, which could result in the loss of lives and property.

“Whenever we encounter underage drivers, we do not tolerate it, we make arrests immediately,” Adikwu said.

He urged parents to prevent their children below 18 from driving, adding that the legal age for obtaining a driver’s license in Nigeria was 18 years.

The sector commander also disclosed that stricter licensing enforcement was already in place to ensure only qualified individuals operated heavy vehicles.

Also speaking, the Spokesman, Adamawa Police Command, Superintendent of Police Suleiman Nguroje, described underage driving as a serious offence.

The spokesman said underage drivers lacked the experience and judgment required to operate both articulated and smaller vehicles.

Their involvement in road transport poses a significant danger to themselves and others,” Nguroje said.

He assured that stronger enforcement of traffic laws, alongside enhanced collaboration between the FRSC, police, and transport unions, would regulate drivers in curbing the practice.

A veteran truck driver and a Chairman of the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association in Adamawa, Malam Jamilu Babatete, described underage driving as a dangerous trend.

“Driving heavy vehicles requires not just skill but also patience and responsibility, which come with age and proper training,” he said.

Babatete called for mandatory driver education programme to be implemented to train commercial drivers on safety regulation measures before being reallowed to drive articulated vehicles.

A community leader, Malam Musa Adamu, also condemned underage driving, describing it as a serious societal problem.

“Families and communities suffer the consequences when these young drivers cause accidents.

“We must all take responsibility and discourage them from engaging in this risky activity,” he said.

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He has raised alarm over the severe implications of underage persons handling articulated vehicles, citing increased risks of accidents and fatalities.

The FRSC’s Sector Commander in Yobe, Mr Livinus Yilzoom, said a lack of experience, skills, and maturity among underage drivers poses significant dangers.

He listed several critical implications, including increased risk of accidents due to lack of experience in handling large vehicles, leading to accidents and fatalities.

Yilzoom also mentioned lack of tenacity to withstand adverse situations, where inexperience and emotional fragility make them prone to succumbing to pressure during challenging driving conditions, resulting in avoidable crashes.

He also mentioned irresponsibility as another concern, as youthful exuberance, peer pressure, and potential substance abuse could lead to reckless behaviour, causing crashes and fatalities.

The sector commander also said underage drivers lacked value for life and property, often disregarded safety measures, and believed death was a distant concept, leading to crashes and property damage.

He said his command had taken measures to ensure only mature individuals handle those vehicles.

Yilzoom said some of the measures being implemented by the command including enforcing age restrictions, mandating that only individuals aged 27 to 65 could possess a Class G driving license for articulated vehicles.

He said that such applicants were also required to have prior experience with Classes B or D licenses.

”Rigorous license requirements include providing a medical certificate of fitness and a means of identification from a recognised fleet operator or union, is required,” the sector commander added.