I sincerely think that as Nigerians, we need to embrace science and technology, study it and understand it as much as we studied and
understand religion and faith. It will do us a great deal!
I am devoted Christian, but the way we allow religion and faith kill us is amazing! You board a vehicle from a motor park, with driver, and instead of trying to check and ask questions if the driver is qualified, licensed, fit, not under alcoholic influence we’ll rather prefer to donate monies to fake preachers who board to tell you how people die on road accidents because they did not donate monies to pastors.
They preach and tell you how to cover the driver, vehicle, tyres and steering with the blood of Jesus, and we all shout a loud ‘Amen’.
Why do we derive joy in looking for witches and wizards, when we fail to do the primary things to guaranty our safety? For how long can the blood of Jesus allow decrepit vehicles convey us from Abuja toLagos?
I will prefer we have technical experts visit motor parks, instead of fake pastors, and sensitise passengers on how to spot inexperienced, unlicensed or drunk drivers, and what to check out for before boarding any commercial vehicle. They should advice technically on the conditions of vehicles before going on the roads. The bad side is that Nigerians are not good in voluntary assignments that do not pay and road users will not be willing to give tips to such volunteers. They prefer to give to men of God who threaten them with hell fire and dangers.
This is why I prefer to fly when on long trips, because the road transport industry and system in Nigeria is suicide mission, and has little or no functional regulatory body and so anyone can bring any vehicle and anyone as driver. Admittedly, our airways are not as safe, however, the industry is run by highly specialised professionals who have so much at stake in the event of any accident.
Created in February 1988, the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, which functions generally relates to making the highway safe for motorists and other road users, has failed and its purpose almost defeated.
A similar body, the Vehicle Inspection Office Driver and Vehicle Licensing Administration (VIO-DVLA) which primary aim is to standardise drivers’ license certification process and maintain a database of certified drivers and vehicles for the enforcement of road traffic laws in Nigeria, has also not lived up to expectations.
As the rate of road accidents increase in Nigeria on daily basis, it becomes urgent that the government looks into existing regulatory bodies or create new ones and mandate them to work closely with road transport companies.
I appeal we separate religion/faith from reality (science and technology) because if we have good vehicles, good and fit drivers and new tyres, the rate of our road accidents on our roads will reduce, while a large amount of the blood of Jesus would be saved for better things.
We all know speed is a major factor in many accidents. However, speeding causes not all accidents and not all accidents are preventable. Yet there are steps you can take to help prevent accidents. These include driving slowly when the weather is bad.
Replace worn tyres and brakes as needed. Keep windshield washer fluid full and change out windshield wipers on a regular basis.
Not only do seatbelts keep you safe in an accident, it will help avoid accidents as well. Seatbelts will hold you in place during an aggressive manouvre. Back off and do not tailgate or allow others to tailgate you.
Do not assume the other vehicles will stop just because the light is red.Do not drive behind an 18-wheeler on the highway. A blown tyre can cause an accident.
Do not rely on your mirrors when making a lane change. All vehicles have “blind spots” in which your mirrors cannot see. Do not ride in the blind spots of other vehicles.
Always keep your windshield wipers going in the rain. Defrost your windshield to keep it from fogging up. Turn on your headlights to help others to see you–this is also the law in some states.
It is always best to have a “designated driver”. Never drive after you have had alcoholic beverages. Even one beer can alter your ability to drive safely.
Always use your signal, even if you think no one is there. When changing lanes on the freeway, do not signal as an afterthought or during the lane change. Signal at least a couple of seconds in advance so others know what you are going to do before you do it.
