The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has called for stronger safety standards, regulation and emergency-response capacity as Nigeria accelerates the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered vehicles.
The Corps said the transition towards cleaner and alternative-energy mobility should not be treated solely as an energy or environmental issue, but also as a critical road-safety concern requiring corresponding changes in regulation, training, vehicle inspection and emergency response.
Osondu Ohaeri, deputy corps commander and corps public education officer at the FRSC National Headquarters, Abuja, in a report said the position reflected the strategic direction of Shehu Mohammed, the Corps Marshal on technology, innovation and safer mobility.
According to Ohaeri, while EVs and CNG vehicles offer opportunities to reduce emissions and support more sustainable transportation, changes in vehicle propulsion do not automatically eliminate road crashes.
He explained that a vehicle powered by electricity, CNG or petrol still operates alongside pedestrians, motorcycles, trucks, cyclists and other road users and remains exposed to risks associated with speeding, poor road design, mechanical failure, driver distraction, fatigue and reckless driving.
“The EV and CNG initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially the SDG 11 and SDG 12, which provide a strong framework because CNG and EVs contribute to cleaner transportation, reduced emissions and more sustainable urban mobility through safer roads and transport systems, cleaner air and healthier communities and more resilient infrastructure,” Mohammed said at a recent summit of the Nigerian Auto Journalists Association in Lagos.
He said Nigeria’s commitment to international road-safety conventions required the country to ensure that the transition to alternative-fuel vehicles was accompanied by adequate safety measures.
The Corps Marshal also highlighted the FRSC’s National Crash Reporting Information System, FRSC Mobile App and National Community Post Crash Care Initiative as part of the agency’s broader technology-driven approach to road safety and emergency response.
The FRSC said the increasing presence of EVs would require changes in how road-safety agencies, emergency responders, technicians and motorists approach vehicle safety.
Unlike conventional vehicles, EVs rely on high-voltage battery systems, electronic controls and sophisticated software, creating new considerations during crashes, repairs and rescue operations.
One concern is the potential hazard associated with damaged or overheated lithium-ion batteries.
The Corps said emergency responders would need specialised knowledge of high-voltage systems and procedures for safely isolating power sources when responding to crashes involving EVs.
This means that road safety must extend beyond crash prevention to include the ability of emergency personnel to safely manage incidents after they occur.
The relatively quiet operation of EVs at low speeds also presents another consideration, particularly for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users in busy urban environments, residential areas and markets.
The FRSC said public awareness, technological interventions and appropriate regulation would be important in managing such risks.
The emergence of EVs will also require a new generation of technicians trained in high-voltage systems, battery diagnostics and electronic vehicle safety.
The Corps warned that unqualified repairs, unauthorised modifications and incompatible components could introduce additional risks.
The FRSC also stressed that the expansion of CNG-powered vehicles must be supported by effective standards for vehicle conversion, certification, inspection and maintenance.
Nigeria’s significant natural-gas resources provide an opportunity for CNG to play a larger role in the country’s transportation system, particularly as motorists and governments seek alternatives to petrol and diesel.
However, the safety of CNG vehicles depends heavily on the integrity of gas storage systems and the quality of conversion work.
The Corps warned against conversions carried out by unqualified technicians or at unauthorised facilities.
Potential risks from poor conversion include improperly fitted gas cylinders, damaged fuel lines, inadequate ventilation, unsafe modifications to vehicle structures, poor-quality components and failure to carry out appropriate inspections and maintenance.
The FRSC therefore called for stronger standards covering conversion centres and technicians, alongside regular inspection and certification of CNG vehicles.
Drivers and fleet operators, it added, also need adequate information on how to respond to suspected gas leaks, vehicle damage and other emergencies involving CNG systems.
As Nigeria’s vehicle fleet becomes increasingly diversified, the FRSC said existing vehicle inspection and roadworthiness systems would need to evolve to account for the characteristics of new propulsion technologies.
The Corps said the principle that mechanically deficient vehicles should not be allowed on Nigerian roads applies regardless of the source of energy powering the vehicle.
It identified public education, vehicle inspection, personnel training, inter-agency collaboration and technology-driven enforcement as key areas requiring attention.
FRSC personnel, rescue officers and emergency responders would need continuous training to understand the characteristics of EVs and CNG vehicles, particularly during crash response, recovery and evacuation.
The Corps also called for greater cooperation among regulators, vehicle manufacturers, importers, conversion centres, emergency services, fire authorities, transport operators and road users.
The FRSC said Nigeria’s transition to cleaner mobility should be accompanied by continuous review of vehicle safety standards, importation requirements, CNG conversion rules, EV battery and charging safety, inspection procedures, emergency-response protocols, technician certification and fire and rescue preparedness.
The objective, it stressed, should not be to discourage technological innovation but to ensure that new technologies are introduced responsibly.
This approach is consistent with the Safe System model of road safety, which recognises that preventing deaths and serious injuries requires multiple layers of protection involving safe road users, safe vehicles, safe speeds, safe roads and effective post-crash care.
The Corps said no single component could guarantee road safety on its own.
A safer alternative-fuel vehicle, for instance, cannot compensate for unsafe road infrastructure, just as an advanced vehicle cannot eliminate the consequences of reckless driving or poor maintenance.
The FRSC said Nigeria’s road-safety framework must therefore evolve alongside its transportation system to ensure that cleaner mobility also delivers safer mobility.
As EV and CNG adoption expands, the Corps said safety considerations should be incorporated at every stage of the vehicle lifecycle, from manufacturing and importation to conversion, registration, maintenance, driving, crash response and rescue.
The agency said its focus under Mohammed’s leadership would increasingly include preparing Nigeria’s road-safety system for emerging mobility technologies while maintaining its traditional emphasis on enforcement, public education, vehicle roadworthiness and emergency response.
Comments
Start the conversation about this story.