Transportation expert and Chief Executive Officer,Ochenuell Mobility, Engr. Emmanuel John has said the implementation of the safe systems approach is long overdue and should be pursued with vigor in line with the Nigeria road safety strategy II, 2021 – 2030.
Engr. John was reacting to the recent fatal crash involving famous boxing legend, Anthony Joshua while
travelling with his team along Lagos Ibadan Expressway where two
lives were unfortunately lost and others sustained injuries.
He said preliminary report from the FRSC points to the fact that the driver driving Anthony Joshua and his team was suspected to be speeding above the legally prescribed speed limit for the
corridor while overtaking another vehicle leading to a loss of control, as a result, their vehicle crashed into a stationary truck along the road.
He said in developed climes, beside the government investigators whose foremost intention is to protect the interest of government, independent investigators exist and are engaged for a more independent outcome, which are more relied upon in Courts than the governments.
According to him “Time is rife for licensing of independent crash investigators for this purpose. A more strategic approach should be employed to ensure better crash scene management to protect both the dignity and properties of the victims and the dead during a crash as the case in question leaves much to be desired”.
He further said all crashes should be thoroughly investigated and all actors; from the driver, his employer,
the road engineers (construction and maintenance), enforcement officers and all other stakeholders as well as found responsible authorities found culpable should account for their actions.