Road accidents in Nigeria claim thousands of lives every year and leave many more with serious injuries. The roads are challenging, but most crashes are not random. They happen because of predictable human errors and systemic issues. Based on reports from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), police records, and studies from transport researchers, here are the five leading causes that account for the majority of serious crashes across the country.
The number one cause remains speeding.
Drivers push vehicles well beyond safe limits on highways like Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna, or Enugu-Port Harcourt. Many assume higher speed saves time, but reaction distance increases dramatically. At 100 km/h, it takes over 80 meters to stop in good conditions. Add potholes, animals, or sudden obstacles, and that distance becomes impossible. FRSC data consistently shows over 40 percent of fatal crashes involve excessive speed. The solution is simple but rarely followed: drive according to road conditions and traffic, not the speed your car can reach.
Reckless and careless driving comes second and often overlaps with speeding.
This includes sudden lane changes without signaling, overtaking on blind corners, tailgating, and driving against traffic (one-way violations). Danfo buses, trucks, and commercial motorcycles are frequently involved because operators feel pressure to make more trips. Defensive driving is the only protection. Keep a safe following distance, signal early, check mirrors constantly, and never assume other drivers will do the right thing. Anticipating bad moves saves lives.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs ranks third
Alcohol impairs judgment, slows reaction time, and reduces coordination. Many crashes happen at night or during weekends when people drink and drive home. FRSC checkpoints find alcohol in a significant number of tested drivers involved in accidents. The rule is straightforward: if you drink, do not drive. Use a designated driver, public transport, or stay overnight. The same applies to drugs that cause drowsiness or altered perception.
Poor vehicle maintenance is the fourth major contributor
Bald tires burst at speed, especially on hot roads. Faulty brakes fail when needed most. Worn suspension makes handling unpredictable on potholes. Many commercial vehicles operate with expired licenses, no insurance, and ignored service schedules because of cost pressure. Private car owners sometimes delay fixes too. Regular checks of tires, brakes, lights, wipers, and fluids prevent mechanical failures that cause or worsen crashes.
The fifth cause is distracted driving, and phones are the biggest culprit
Texting, WhatsApp calls, or scrolling takes eyes off the road for seconds that can be fatal. Other distractions include eating, adjusting the radio, talking to passengers, or reaching for items. Studies show reaction time doubles when a driver looks at a phone. The fix is simple: put the phone on silent and in the glove box. Use hands-free only for essential calls, and pull over safely for anything else.
These five causes, speeding, recklessness, alcohol/drugs, poor maintenance, and distraction—explain the majority of serious accidents. They are not unavoidable fate; they are human choices. Drive slower, stay focused, maintain your vehicle, avoid alcohol, and expect others to make mistakes. Small changes in behavior make the roads safer for everyone.