HAZARDS ON NIGERIAN ROADS

To say that Nigerian roads are bedeviled with hazards is an understatement. Indeed, our roads are death traps! Some of the hazards on our roads, among several others, include:

1) Driving against traffic/one-way drive or ride.

2) Illegal traffic enforcement personnel, collecting illegal tolls, fines and penalties.

3) Illegal toll points causing traffic buildup, accidents, attacks, etc.

4) Vehicles causing obstruction, accidents, etc.

5) Uncompleted or abandoned road construction.

6) Bad Roads.

DRIVING AGAINST TRAFFIC/ONE WAY DRIVE OR RIDE

Driving against traffic is fast becoming the latest trend in traffic offences involving a large number of the motoring public regardless of their status. This practice is prevalent in all the States and the Federal Capital Territory, particularly in cities with heavy traffic flow. It has caused many vehicular crashes affecting lots of innocent pedestrians who have either been maimed or killed outrightly.

It is, however, disheartening that many government officials, security agencies, traffic agencies and some highly placed Nigerians, regularly commit this heinous traffic offence. Those who drive against traffic do so because they want to avoid being held up in traffic, take a shortcut, bypass a longer route, or rush to meet up an appointment, which is one of the effects of inadequate journey planning. The offence is common where there is heavy traffic in one lane, especially in the lane in which they are travelling, thereby prompting the impatient and disobedient drivers or riders on that lane of oncoming vehicles without traffic gridlock.

"One-way", as it is popularly called by the motoring public, is one of the most dangerous traffic offences coming after drunk-driving and over-speeding. It is a major cause of death for many innocent road users.

Some of the effects of driving against traffic include:

l Crashes with oncoming vehicles which are not expecting those driving against traffic;

l Reckless driving to avoid arrest and to intimidate others off the way;

l Confusion for road users scrambling to avoid collision with the vehicles driving against traffic; and

l Crushing of pedestrians not expecting vehicles coming from behind.

The issue of driving against traffic cannot be complete without referring to the commercial motorcycles popularly known as "Okada". Indeed, over time, most Lagosians came to see the commercial motorcycle, Okada, as the preferred means of transportation, especially if you are in a hurry to get to your destination. For them, Okada is most preferred because it is considered convenient, fast and readily available. But in recent times, there is a growing feeling that its disadvantages far outweigh the advantages. The reason for this is not farfetched.

The increasing recklessness of Okada riders has led to more lives being lost daily, apart from the high number of those who sustain permanent disabilities as a result of accidents on commercial motorcycles.

Six 6 most common crimes of Okada riders:

l Overloading the motorcycle;

l Indiscriminate movement;

l Riding without protection;

l Overspeeding;

l Lack of lighting system; and 

l Carrying passengers with overly big objects.

In many cases, they are also used to snatch handbags and mobile handsets etc, from unsuspecting passersby. A majority of crimes are perpetrated by Okada riders because it comes in handy as a gateway vehicle after crimes are committed. As a result of the popular patronage of commercial cyclists, criminal elements have infiltrated their ranks.

To curb the menace, the Federal Government through the Road Safety Commission and the State Governments through their Traffic Management Agencies must stand firmly against this offence and take every possible step to prevent it. Appropriate penalties through these agencies should be meted out to everyone that flouts traffic rules and regulations, and offenders are dealt with accordingly.

Specifically, section 20 of the Federal Road Safety Commission(Establishment) Act provides that: "A person who causes the death of another person by the driving of a motor vehicle on a highway dangerously or recklessly shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years". 

This is evident in the traffic offence case of Adeyemo v. State (2015) 16 NWLR (Pt. 1485) 311where one Micheal Adeyemo was alleged to have left his lane while driving and crossed the deceased's lane, thereby colliding with the vehicle of the deceased. He was arraigned in the High Court of Ogun State on a 2-count charge of causing death by dangerous driving and dangerous driving and was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment accordingly.

ILLEGAL TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT/PERSONNEL COLLECTING ILLEGAL TOLLS, FINES & PENALTIES:

In addition, countless ordinary Nigerians attempting to make ends meet as taxi drivers, market traders, and shopkeepers are accosted daily by law enforcement officers who demand bribes and commit human rights abuses against them as a means of extorting money. Those who fail to pay are frequently threatened with arrest and physical harm. Far too often, these threats are carried out. 

Imposters who act as law enforcement officers frequently extort money from the public at taxi stands, in marketplaces, or while going about their daily life. However, the most common venue for extortion occurs at roadblocks, ostensibly put in place to collect tolls. In practice, these checkpoints have become a lucrative criminal venture for them as they routinely demand bribes from drivers and passengers alike, in some places enforcing a de facto standardized toll.

Extortion-related confrontations between these imposters and motorists often escalate into more serious abuses. These thugs have on numerous occasions severely beaten, sexually assaulted, or shot to death, ordinary citizens who failed to pay the bribes demanded. These criminal acts severely undermine the rule of law.

Also, thugs stop drivers to collect fees without regard to traffic rules and regulations. An example is the Berger end of Lagos Ibadan Expressway where thugs stop buses in motion to collect fees without regard to traffic rules, thereby causing traffic congestion and high risk of accidents.

To stop this nefarious activity, the Nigerian Government and Police leadership should launch several police reform initiatives, increase funding to the police force, and improve police wages. The Government should also hold accountable law enforcement officers who commit abuses, the public complaint mechanism, internal controls, and civilian oversight should be strong, funded and effective.

ILLEGAL TOLL POINTS CAUSING TRAFFIC BUILDUP, ACCIDENTS, ATTACKS, ETC:

Reliable information has it that no fewer than 30 illegal toll points have sprung up around the Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports in Lagos, where bribes are being collected before trucks are allowed into the Ports and where extortion of trucks drivers by traffic and security operatives along the Lagos ports corridors take place.

These toll gates, in so far as they may hinder the free flow of movement of people and goods, will amount to a violation of the right to freedom of movement. Under and by virtue of Section 38 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), citizens are entitled to freedom of movement throughout Nigeria without any hindrance or let.

 By way of toll gates for collection of toll fees, motorists are subjected to all manner of ill-treatment, kept in long queues and traffic bottlenecks, for no reason whatsoever. These toll points are outlets for criminal activities, human trafficking, prostitution and indeed illicit trading in drugs and petroleum products.

For a road to qualify for any form of toll at all, it must be motorable. Under section 13 of the 1999 Constitution, the Government is under a sacred obligation to provide a good road network for the citizens, free of any charges. This, provision of motorable roads, across the length and breadth of Nigeria, is a sacred constitutional responsibility of the Government of Nigeria. The illegal toll points cause traffic buildup, accidents, attacks, etc. There are no alternative routes that motorists, who are unable to afford the toll fees, can access without difficulty.

VEHICLES CAUSING OBSTRUCTION, ACCIDENTS, ETC:

The debate about the nuisance constituted by drivers of articulated vehicles is an unending one. The progress made on the Lagos- Ibadan Expressway was positive, however, there is a stall in the construction, as trucks are parked at the sides of the road. Also, for instance, accidents are being caused by the diversion from Magboro to Mowe bus-stop axis of the Express Road. For road users, they have expressed bitterness because sometimes, the trucks involved in accidents are left by the road, thereby causing more obstruction on a daily bases. These abandoned vehicles should be removed from the roads in order to stop accidents and obstruction.

Okada riders now use the BRT lane as their pack especially in the Ojota and Ketu part of Lagos, among others. Okada riders trying to access the BRT lane in a bid to escape traffic gridlock cause collisions with buses on several occasions. Apart from the fact that the lane is too narrow for buses and okada to use, the lane is specially and specifically dedicated for the use of BRT buses.

On the 30th of September 2020 two persons were killed while another was injured at Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, when a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus crushed a commercial motorcycle illegally plying a BRT- dedicated lane. 

UNCOMPLETED ROAD CONSTRUCTION:

Many of Nigeria's roads or highways are in terrible condition, and they have become death traps and nightmares for the citizens. The effect of abandoned road construction projects in Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized. The abandoned highway roads have economically affected many Nigerians, more especially the daily users. It has disrupted a lot of economic activities and has also resulted in lots of mishaps, such as constant accidents, arm robberies, and loss of life.

Abandoned road construction also gives room for road users to pack or make a u-turn at improper and life-endangering places thereby causing roadblocks and avoidable traffic.

BAD ROADS:

The lives of citizens cannot be secure where the roads through which they travel are filled with potholes which are death traps; when citizens spend hours on the same spot and are left in the hands of robbers. The Oshodi-Badagry express that links the country with the rest of the West African Sub-region is punctuated regularly by potholes, large and small, which are capable of causing major accidents. The Agege Motor Road in Lagos is no different even after the improvement occasioned by the Lagos State Government's intervention 

Some examples of bad roads in the Southern area, among others, include;

1. Lagos-Benin road and by extension the Onitsha-Ore end;

2. The Ibadan- Ilorin road;

3. Aboru, Iyana Ipaja, in Lagos. 

Lagos State is popularly known as the 'Centre of Excellence" and is home to an estimated 20 million people. Despite this, Lagos State probably has Nigeria's worst road network. Lagos residents have normalized sitting in traffic for hours or trekking long distances to meet up with important appointments. 

RECOMMENDATIONS/REMEDIES:

After much said about the hazards on Nigerian roads, it is only necessary to proffer practical possible remedies. These remedies can put an end to the menace on Nigeria's roads. 

Reducing road fatalities is a major challenge in monitoring safety on Nigerian roads, and much more measures put in place towards managing traffic risks in terms of manpower needed for round the clock random checks of fatalities are vital. 

Also, the human factor can be improved on with mandatory education for operators. Even though road accidents may be triggered by several elements. Its primary roots lie with the road user. 

In addition, designing strategies for handling critical safety risk challenges in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria goes beyond normal routine security checks, but also demands security and community policing to stem the cases of kidnapping and high rate of death and loss of millions of Naira on our roads.

Furthermore, risk avoidance education to commuters as new strategies in vulnerable zones and increased deployment of well-trained community personnel to monitor situations and provide safety for road users. 

Besides, a working transportation policy must evolve to address the issue of bad roads, road blockage/obstruction, kidnapping, unmaintained vehicles, overloading, overspeeding and other forms of reckless use of the roads, etc, to have safer highways with reduced fatality risks in Nigeria.

CONCLUSION:

The menace on Nigeria's roads is an issue that affects every citizen of the country. It is a problem that is no respecter of age, class or status. Every citizen of the country makes use of the road in one way or the other. Therefore, the problem is one that requires the attention of the Government and all stakeholders. 

The government is saddled with the responsibility of providing security of life and property for the citizens. Therefore, the government on their part should provide conducive roads across the length and breadth of Nigeria through which citizens travel. The provision of motorable roads across the length and breadth of Nigeria is the sacred responsibility of the Government of Nigeria. The Government should look into these hazards on our roads and provide effective solutions to them accordingly.

On the other hand, road users should also make appropriate and proper use of the roads. The roads of Nigeria will be a better place to travel and make ends meet if every citizen put all hands on deck to curb the menace on the road. All stakeholders should look into these hazards on the road and adopt effective conduct towards them accordingly.