Reckless driving on roads
Many lives have been lost as a result of reckless and careless driving. This with no doubt is a very common topic but then, it is paramount that we remind ourselves of the danger involved in reckless and careless driving on the road. Most often, we tend to attribute accidents to bad roads. We blame the government and forget that, as individuals on the wheel, we have a tremendous role to play in ensuring that we reduce the rate of accidents on the road. Obviously, bad roads contribute to the high rate of accidents and there is need for the government to intervene. But, it is also certain that if we as individuals apply carefulness on the road, some accidents can be avoided. We put our lives and those of others at risk whenever we forget the rules and laws guiding the way to drive.
There are various reasons road accidents occur. Sometimes, it is either as a result of distraction while behind the wheel, or bad visibility, or even driving while drunk. It could also be as a result of driving while very tired or over speeding and disobeying traffic rules. In some cases, it could be because of not adhering to lane driving or rules on overtaking. It could also be because of bad roads. These and many more contribute to accidents on the road and unfortunately, most road users are clearly aware of the general rules and safety measures for driving but do not keep to them. In fact, sometimes, the way some drivers drive, one wonders if there are extra lives kept by them which some of us don’t know about.
There are limits to which the officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) can go to ensure that the rate of accidents is reduced. We as individuals and drivers have significant roles to play in ensuring we secure our safety and that of others. The way we drive on the road say a lot about our characters even out of the wheel. The worst aspect of such reckless driving is the observable ego mentality behind the wheel. Some drivers compete as if to say ‘my car runs better than yours’, while some others carry their ego mentality too far, by using their bigger cars to obstruct and intimidate the so-called smaller cars thereby forcing their way through.
The officials of the FRSC are no doubt doing a good job but they can still do much more. First, they should continue ensuring strictly that those who disobey the traffic rules are seriously punished. Secondly, they should come harder on ‘Keke’ drivers within the cities where they are constituting big danger and nuisance to public safety, as many never obey traffic light, turn recklessly at will, overtake recklessly also disregarding their speed capacity and driving on forbidden areas like highways. Lastly, the ‘hot stove’ principle of discipline which requires immediate and drastic punishment (perhaps through a mobile court) can be considered on erring drivers, as the recklessness on our roads is becoming increasing alarming.
Pamela Obasi, Abuja.