The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Gombe State Command, has arrested 58 drivers for contrevening the state’s laws through bus overloading.
The FRSC carried out its “War Against Overloading” campaign and nabbed the alleged offenders as part of efforts to curb road traffic crashes and reduce fatalities across the state.
The command said the enforcement campaign carried out in April, was introduced in response to the increasing number of road crashes linked to overloaded vehicles, while also promoting compliance with approved passenger and cargo limits among motorists.
Speaking in an interview with journalists on Monday, the Gombe State Sector Commander, Samson Kaura, said the initiative was launched to tackle one of the major causes of fatal road crashes in the state.
According to him, overloading continues to pose a serious threat to road safety, stressing that reducing crash-related deaths requires a combination of strict enforcement of traffic regulations, sustained public awareness and responsible conduct by drivers and vehicle owners.
Kaura described compliance with vehicle load limits as a lifesaving measure rather than a mere traffic requirement, noting that manufacturers design every vehicle to carry a specified number of passengers and a maximum cargo weight.
He lamented that many motorists routinely ignore these specifications, thereby exposing themselves, their passengers and other road users to unnecessary danger.
“But we neglect the authorised specifications and overload our vehicles,” he said.
The sector commander explained that an overloaded vehicle becomes more difficult to operate because of the additional weight, making acceleration slower, increasing braking distance and reducing the driver’s ability to maintain proper control, particularly during emergencies.
He added that excessive loading also increases fuel consumption, places undue pressure on critical vehicle components such as the engine, suspension, tyres and braking system, and ultimately shortens the vehicle’s lifespan.
According to Kaura, the consequences become even more devastating when overloaded vehicles are involved in crashes.
“If an overloaded vehicle that is designed to carry no more than five passengers is involved in a crash, there will likely be more casualties because it was carrying too many people and goods.
“That is why we need to nip the issue of overloading in the bud to reduce the number of fatalities from road traffic crashes,” he said.
He also cautioned motorists against overloading during the rainy season, warning that wet road conditions further reduce vehicle stability and make handling more difficult.
“When a vehicle is overloaded, its stability is compromised and controlling it becomes difficult, putting everyone on board at risk,” he said.
Kaura appealed to passengers to play their part by refusing to board overloaded vehicles, while urging vehicle owners and commercial transport operators to adhere strictly to approved load limits in the interest of public safety.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustained enforcement and public enlightenment, saying the campaign would continue as part of the FRSC’s broader strategy to reduce avoidable road crashes and save lives in Gombe State.