Road Safety
Road Safety is the domain that tests a commercial driver’s ability to prevent crashes and manage risk on Nigerian roads. The exam concentrates on speed management, fatigue, vehicle condition, passenger protection, and the specific duties that come with carrying goods or fare-paying passengers.
Core rules and concepts
- Commercial vehicles operate under FRSC’s speed-limiting regime: the device is mandatory, generally set at 90 km/h for commercial vehicles and 60 km/h for articulated or tanker units.
- Seat belts are compulsory for the driver and all passengers; motorcycle riders and passengers must wear approved helmets.
- Phone use while driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, overloading, and carrying passengers beyond the vehicle’s capacity are offences.
- A pre-trip check covers tyres, brakes, lights, steering, fire extinguisher, first-aid box, warning triangle, spare tyre, jack and wheel spanner.
- Long-distance commercial buses must keep a passenger manifest, and the driver must stop after a set driving period to rest.
- The FRSC emergency number is 122.
Worked example
A driver plans a 180 km trip. At the commercial speed cap of 90 km/h, the trip takes at least 2 hours. At 100 km/h it would take 1 hour 48 minutes, saving only 12 minutes. That small gain is not worth the extra stopping distance, higher crash energy and the risk of a speed-limiter violation. The correct choice is to keep to 90 km/h, plan rest breaks, and refuse pressure to race the timetable.
Traps that cost marks
Do not confuse the private-car limit of 100 km/h with the commercial limit. Do not assume seat belts are only for front occupants. Do not treat the speed limiter, manifest or fire extinguisher as optional extras; each is a compliance item.