THE SCOURGE OF THE NIGERIAN ROAD

The constant blaring of the bus drivers horn was a mild irritation especially since I was so distracted by the rumbling ‘container’ to my right and constantly calculating the best way to zoom right past it, praying silently that would not be the inopportune time it would decide to hit a pothole and tumble right on top of my teensy weensy, itty bitty (compared to its massiveness) Honda City or have me careening off the road into the embankment. Worse still, it could have me lurching in to another vehicle while madly executing defensive driving skillfulness in a desperate attempt to save me from a fate akin to death, or rather, death itself. Once I sighted my opportunity, I grabbed it and raced past the truck, heaving a sigh of relief, counting myself absolutely fortunate to have escaped death by the hair of my whiskers. But that relief was short-lived as the irate bus driver, who had no care for my fortuitous escape, swerved in to my car, attempting to run me off the road while spitting out a string of expletives. His annoyance … I should have driven right by the ‘container’ so he could have sped on by too and my dilly dallying had ‘delayed’ him. Please do take note that I got to the Island before he did in the end.

Well, luckily I did not get crushed by the container nor did I swerve in to an embankment or another car damaging my car, so in all it was a good morning. This I must say all happened before 6:30 in the morning. But the fact that one has to wake up so early in the morning to get to work is a totally different story.

The ‘container’ as it is popularly called in Nigeria is one of the meanest scourges on our roads today. Or is it the drivers who feel that because they are driving such big contraptions they need not adhere to driving safety rules, or use mere common sense? Or is it about the same drivers who believe that they are the kings of the roads so every car littler than them should give way or regret the consequences? Or is it about the owners of these vehicles who do not take the time out to make sure that all safety catches are working and that the containers are securely latched on and said vehicles adequately maintained? Or is it about the people who let these vehicles pass safety inspections? Or should I turn to the deplorable state of the roads? The list goes on and on.

I've had this article sitting on the back burner for an age and a half but a slew of recent incidents got me thinking on it once more. The word ‘Lucky’ rings constantly in my head because it is pure luck and more importantly, the Grace of God that keeps Nigerians from becoming minced meat. I was lucky, and have been lucky all the time, as I look for an opening and race past these monsters with heart in mouth. But so many others have not. Last year, a young lady and a family of 4 and a half (half because the mother was pregnant … can I really say half for an unborn? Hmmmm!) were crushed beneath the weight of one of these tankers. Mangled bodies crushed, life snuffed out. It got me to thinking about the real causes of most of the ills of our nation.

Firstly, I am of the opinion that Nigerians generally do not care about each other. We are trained to act like we love and are hospitable but we don’t really give a hoot about the person standing next to us. A clear-cut example can be seen in the way we drive every single day. I've had my bumper torn off by a man who told me that the law states that when I indicate with my blinkers to turn in to a lane I must also turn to beg him so he can let me in. For real? I’m sure you've tried changing lanes and gotten stuck while six or more cars rev their engine and speed right at you, ready to knock you off the road if you don’t behave yourself and stay in the lane you have found yourself in. Honestly, I've done it myself quite a few times. I could try to exonerate myself and say that I did this because others did it to me, but then again when does the cycle end, where does the change begin? If we cared enough to realize that the person we could hurt with our actions could be ourselves or the people we hold dear, maybe we would live a lot differently.

Secondly, our maintenance culture is complete zilch. This, in my opinion impinges on our enforcement. This I say because in a loose sort of way, I see enforcement a bit like maintenance, you know like maintain law and order, catch my drift? We have laws but no one to enforce them. I’ll tell you what it is. I was in Houston in June and a friend was dropping me off at the airport. On our way we drove past this mini-truck that was emitting black smoke. That’s a common occurrence on our roads, right? Well it’s not allowed there, in fact, if any law enforcement agent notices, as my friend was telling me, he would get pulled over, booked and fined. They don’t mess with emissions. I’m not even sure we have such a law in place. Now back to ‘containers’, even if we did have a safety law in place (I’m not sure whether we do or don’t) who’s going to enforce that these rumbling coffins are latched on properly before they leave the wharf or wherever it is they are loaded?

Well here’s my thought on the matter.

1. If there are no safety laws in place we have to have them drawn up immediately.
2. The vehicles, containers and all latches should be thoroughly inspected before they are allowed to drive off any premise they are being loaded at.
3. The Drivers:
a. Defensive driving school is my 'numero uno' advice. They seriously need to learn how to drive large vehicles with caution, and understand that they are not the kings of the road.
b. Respect for other road users is vital.
4. The roads really need to be maintained because even the littlest bump could jolt those huge edifices and tumble them over.
5. If you don’t fulfill the laws of the land and anyone loses their life, the culprits should be prosecuted.

This of course is not a fool-proof or complete solution but I think it’s a step in the right direction. What’s your thought? How do we get this message passed across to the relevant quarters and implemented? I’d be happy to hear from you.

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