Accidents are definitely not exclusive to Nigeria but something we get to see from time to time, are the incidences whereby little life-saving details are frequently ignored. About a week ago, a truck carrying planks fell off the bridge at Ojuelegba and just a couple of days back, a horrific inferno involving a petrol tanker and several other vehicles claiming many lives occurred the Ojodu-Berger axis. These are just a few among numerous mishaps that happen on Nigerian roads.
If one decides to take a stock of the number of accidents that have occurred in June alone, there is a high probability that the list will not come up short in any way. However, the objective of writing this piece is to minute on the lurking dangers that abound on our roads. When you take a look at the road and the ensuing traffic, it is rare not to see one or more telling sign(s) that point to imminent danger. From the recklessness of commercial bus drivers down to the error of judgment that could be exhibited by other road users and the flouting of traffic laws – not to even mention the existence of ‘road-unworthy’ vehicles plying the road, you will probably identify one thing or another pointing to disaster. And it is quite unfortunate that law enforcement agencies do not seem to have cue on how map out strategies that would help to bring a far-reaching solution to the issue.
Though I am not oblivious of the fact that some persons might have attributable the two terrifying occurrences I cited earlier to fate but the truth remains that those accidents could have been prevented had the law been enforced in the first instance – and on a consistent basis. Putting the petrol tanker into perspective; an eyewitness account has it that the driver of tanker was trying to avoid an on-rushing commercial bus that had previously parked [and dropped off a passenger] at an unaccredited bus-stop before the tanker hit a barrier and spilled its content (petrol) which eventually caused the blast. The exercise of drivers parking illegally to pick up or drop off is now commonplace on our roads today. Those (drivers) that are caught are, most of the times, left to get off the hook after the hand of the traffic regulatory official have received some ‘manna of doom’ – this, in itself, is a catalyst for disaster.
The truck that fell off Ojuelegba Bridge must have been due to overloading but it is really perplexing that the vehicle was not stopped from discontinuing the journey at any point in time. And what about the prevalence of having trucks with loose containers running up the road without being apprehended? – There is so much mess on the road that has got to be cleared, and it is important that those in the appropriate quarters squarely stand up to their responsibilities to ensure the safety of lives on the road.
What has become of the regulation regarding heavy-duty vehicles moving at night or the directive for them to stay off the bridge? How well has been enforced? Your guess is as good as mine – these (regulations) have been colossally ineffective thus far since those saddled with the responsibility do not appear to be up to the task.