Every day, truck drivers hit the road long before sunrise. They carry everything we depend on: food, fuel, medicine, and more. But behind the wheels are real people, many of them tired, overworked, and under constant pressure. Recently, Nigeria has seen a rise in truck-related accidents. And while it’s easy to point fingers at drivers, the reality is more complex.
Many drivers say they work exhausting shifts with little rest, often pushed by tight deadlines and poor road conditions. Fatigue, they argue, is one of the biggest causes of accidents, leaving them vulnerable to mistakes that can cost lives. Their side of the story highlights a system that demands more than the human body can safely handle.
But not all accidents can be blamed on stress or the system. Some drivers admit that recklessness, substance use, and even quick tempers behind the wheel contribute to the dangers on Nigeria’s highways. In several cases, investigations have revealed drivers speeding, ignoring traffic rules, or driving under the influence. This means the risks are not only systemic; sometimes they are personal choices that put others in harm’s way.
For pedestrians and other road users, these lapses can be deadly. One wrong move, one reckless decision, and lives are lost. Families are left grieving, and communities scarred by tragedies that could have been prevented.
Truck drivers keep the country moving, but many are doing it while running on empty physically, mentally, and emotionally. At the same time, accountability must also fall on those who drive recklessly or put others at risk. Accidents don’t just happen because someone made a mistake; sometimes they happen because the system is broken, and sometimes because of poor choices behind the wheel.
If Nigeria wants safer roads, it must take better care of the people who spend their lives on them, while also enforcing stronger checks to ensure drivers themselves are fit for the journey. Behind every delivery is a driver. Behind every driver, a story. It’s time we start listening and demanding responsibility on all sides.
