How does a speed limiter work? What are its benefits? These are some of the questions being asked by motorists as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) begins its enforcement, first, with commercial vehicles in June, reports Adeyinka Aderibigbe
Nothing underscores the urgent need for speed regulation of drivers than the ghastly Valentine’s Day accident in which some women associates of the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan, died in a crash on the East-West Road, Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
“When I saw the pictures, I knew nothing that could have led to such a gory end other than over-speeding,” Mr. Abdul Bamgbopa, a auto track and safety expert told The Nation. The accident has strengthened the case for the speed limiter, which his firm is marketing.
“It has become more of a passion; there is an urgent need to save lives, and we are driven by the desire to save as many lives as we can,” he said.
The high accident rate is becoming worrisome. Few weeks ago, on Ife-Ilesa road in Osun State, 10 people, including women and babies, died in an accident.
Worrisome Statistics
Worldwide, the number of people killed in crashes yearly is estimated at 1.2 million and injuries are the eighth leading cause of death among people aged 15-29.
Despite 60 percent of its estimated 170 million population using road transportation, Nigeria lacks a reliable accident data.
At a recent forum, experts canvassed for crashes to be pushed to the front burner of national discourse because they are becoming the leading cause of death.
Founder and Director of Safety Beyond Borders (SBB), Adenusi Patrick said more than Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and cancer, accidents are responsible for rising cases of deaths and permanent disabilities.
There is also an economic perspective to crashes, as experts said crashes account for between one and three per cent loss to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) yearly.
In its yearly Road Traffic Crashes (RTC) casualty data for December last year, the FRSC was upbeat about the marginal difference between 2013 and 2014.
According to the data, 54 persons died in accidents in 2013, and 48 only in 2014, representing 11.1 per cent difference. Those injured within the same period dropped from 205 in 2013, to 166 in 2014, indicating 19 per cent difference.
The figures for post-Ember months’ RTC between December 19, 2013 and January 13, 2014, and December 19, 2014 and January 12, 2015 for Lagos equally showed a marginal drop.
FRSC said there were 41 crashes in 2013 and 37 in 2014, representing 9.7 per cent difference. Thirty-four persons were killed in 2013 and 16 in 2014 a 52.9 per cent difference.
The injured were 137 in 2013 and 102 in 2014, indicating 25.5 per cent decrease. No fewer than 171 persons were involved in crashes in 2013 compared to 118 in 2014, showing a 30.9 per cent difference.
What could be responsible for the reduction? Studies show that seat belts have reduced death risk by 61 per cent and chances of injury by 45 per cent. Wearing of helmets by motorcyclists has also reduced severity of head injury risk by 70 per cent; the campaign against drunk- driving is said to have lowered the risk of being injured by 40 per cent.
FRSC’s sustained campaign against speed and drunk-driving, use of helmets, (in states where motorcyles are still permitted), seat belts and child restraints is believed to be responsible for reduction in crashes and deaths.
Poor road infrastructure and over speeding
Since Nigeria largely depends on road transportation, the pressure on federal, intercity and inner city roads and streets has been fingered for the bad state of the roads.
Bamgbopa said despite all safety measures, 30 per cent of crashes is still traced to over-speeding.
According to him, speeding increases the likelihood of a fatal crash.
Wondering why drivers over-speed when the roads are bad and riddled with potholes, or when the roads lack traffic lights or reflectors and road signs, Bamgbopa said though vehicles were manufactured with a speedometer reading 0-200, responsible driving dictates that motorists must subject themselves to speed regulation.
Speed limiter to the rescue
Bamgbopa, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Sattrak Telematics Limited, which is championing the use of the speed limiter, describes the devise as a governor that will limit the top speed of a vehicle.
This, according to him, could be either by controlling the fuel feed to the engine or by modifying the electronic signal from the electronic accelerator pedal or by disengaging the mechanical accelerator pedal.
He said over 33 countries have speed limiter laws, adding that all of them have experienced significant reduction in crashes and casualties. According to him, in the United Kingdom, heavy duty vehicle accidents have dropped by 26 per cent since the limiter was introduced in 1992.
He said if developed countries despite their strict traffic fine regime and avalanche of CCTVs could deploy speed limiter, that cuts down speed by reducing the fuel supply into any vehicle, Nigeria, must see the device as the best way out of fatal road crashes.
Bamgbopa said the devise limits top speed despite driver’s urge or love for speeding.
Benefits
A limiter enhances safety of vehicle, owner, goods and other road users.
It lowers fuel consumption from three to 11 percent, lower maintenance costs, (tyres, brakes engine) and reduce insurance premium.
It equally improves the atmosphere by cutting down on the CO2 and Green House Gases (GHG) emissions because of the improved fuel consumption, as vehicles burn less fuel.
Bamgbopa said over 100 motor vehicle models can be fitted with the speed limiter adding that all vehicles ranging from saloon to commercial buses, trucks, articulated vehicles and trailers can be fitted with the device.
The device, he said, can be used on vehicles produced from year 2005 upwards which were fitted with electronic pedal system, while those up to 2004 with mechanical pedal system can have the devise fitted to their fuel supply and pedals.
It will cost N35,000 to install the device on vehicles produced in 2005 upwards and N45,000 for vehicles produced from 2004 downwards.
For vehicles with speed sensor, Bamgbopa said, the device would boost the sensor by regulating the fuel supply in a non-intrusive way that the vehicle would not jerk, but would cut down speed once the sensor’s regulated top speed is being crossed.
Challenge to seamless implementation
Stakeholders believe that motorists could compromise the limiter’s functions through tampering, removal of the device after fitting and resetting of the same by unscrupulous drivers.
Also, lack of strict compliance by the regulator- the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), could also compromise its effectiveness, while ignorance by the rank and file of the FRSC could limit its enforcement.
Bamgbopa said the non-conformity to standards could affect the implementation across the states of the federation and the device’s effectiveness.
While lauding the FRSC for coming up with the June 1 deadline for commercial drivers, Bamgbopa said a more seamless implementation could be achieved by aligning the limiter’s installation to the yearly renewal of vehicle papers.
“One would expect the Corps to partner with other agencies involved in vehicle particulars renewal at licensing offices across the country.
“Another impediment that must be streamlined is the unavailability of uniformed speed limits and lack of adequate information on the devise by the enforcement personnel.”
FRSC’s Lagos Sector Commander Hyginus Omeje said the limiter was adopted in the Corps efforts to reduce crashes in line with the United Nations Decade for Safe road campaign 2025.
He said the implementation would begin with commercial buses, fleet operators and heavy duty vehicles on June 1.
Shying away from the pricing row, Omeje said: “No amount can equate a life lost that could have been prevented. If people can afford the price of a luxury bus and have a fleet of those, why would they complain that a device that could save more lives and improve efficiency is expensive?”
He said the device, which has been tested by the corps, could prevent accidents that can kill and destroy property, adding that this double loss can be avoided.
Bamgbopa said prices would respond to market forces once enforcement begins. He admitted that the price may initially be high, but this, he said, is natural with new products. “Early buyers may likely pay more on the long run, but the prices would begin to respond to the market pull once more buyers begin to open up, buy and install in their vehicles,” Bamgbopa said.
