Several factors, including over-speeding, drunk-driving, lane indiscipline, etc, are responsible for road crashes in Nigeria. Although a lot of people take the issue of lane indiscipline for granted, it is a killer monster on Nigerian roads.
Since the military administration of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida established the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in 1988, it has battled to drastically reduce the rate of road traffic crashes in the country. Not deterred by the enormity of the task, the FRSC has made deliberate and positive efforts to succeed.
Lane indiscipline is a deliberate disobedience to traffic rules on the road, especially as it affects strict adherence to lanes. It is usually a case of indiscipline when motorists turn left out of the right lane.
It has been observed that festive periods such as Easter, Sallah, Christmas and New Year celebrations are most challenging for the corps as drivers deliberately disobey traffic rules.
Speaking to Sunday Trust on the challenges of road indiscipline, Corps Public Education Officer of the FRSC, Stella Uchegbu, said, “Lane indiscipline is one of the road vices that contribute to avoidable road traffic crashes in the country. It forms part of the numerous unacceptable traffic conducts and distasteful acts by motorists (drivers), which often result to road mishaps. Lane indiscipline can lead to serious injuries to the driver and other occupants in a vehicle, as well as possible destruction of property (vehicle). For us in the FRSC, lane indiscipline remains a major challenge since it is human-induced.
“Different factors, including lane indiscipline, are responsible for road traffic crashes in Nigeria. It is on record that the human factor constitutes about 90 per cent of all road crashes. And the driver issue presents the highest challenge. Because of the dangers inherent in lane indiscipline, Section 161 (3) of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, stipulates, ‘The driver of a vehicle on a public road divided into traffic lanes by appropriate road traffic signs shall not turn from one lane into or across another lane unless he can do so without obstructing or endangering other road users.’
Frowning at the attitude of some drivers on Nigerian roads, Uchegbu said, “As the lead agency in road safety management and traffic administration, it has been a challenging experience when, in the course of striving to deliver on its statutory mandate, the human component becomes more prevalent among other causative factors. Take the case of FCT roads which boast of the best traffic engineering in the country, with functional traffic lights, road markings and other relevant furniture, yet Abuja ranks highest on road crashes, thus indicating that even with good roads, crashes tend to be on the increase. Our major concern is the attitude of road users.’’
Sharing his experience about lane indiscipline on the road, a marshal inspector, Jubrin M. Ibrahim, said that a lot of drivers are simply lawless and very impatient.
“Nigerians are very lawless and impatient. Unfortunately, instead of doing the right thing, they often think that security agencies are infringing on their freedom. Our major challenge are security agents who drive on the one-way lane whenever there is traffic hold-up. And any attempt to bring them to order is always resisted,’’ he said.
On the number of lane indiscipline cases he records on a daily basis he said, “There are many. It is difficult to give figures.’’
At the Dutse-Alhaji junction in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, our reporter witnessed an argument between a senior police officer on traffic duty last Monday (Morning) and an army officer. The army officer, who drove a red-colour space wagon with registration number, Abuja: KUJ 524 GT had taken the opposite one-way lane in a desperate bid to avoid traffic hold-up. Accosted by the police officer he retorted, “We are all uniform men; you are not expected to challenge me in public. You are expected to treat me with respect.’’
Also sharing her experience on lane indiscipline, another senior police officer said, “Nigerians lack discipline, unlike what obtains in other countries. An average Nigerian is a tout. They break laws at will. That is why a lot of them are involved in lane indiscipline without minding the consequences. Most importantly, security agents are a major threat to sanity on the road. They believe they have the right to break traffic rules.’’
On Gado Nasko Road, Federal Housing area of Kubwa, also in Bwari Area Council, our reporter observed that several motorists find it difficult to stay on the right lane, especially during traffic hold-up in the evening. They overtake dangerously, making the traffic situation more chaotic and endangering the lives of other road users.
At Sokale Roundabout, Dutse, our reporter also observed that road users, especially okada riders, indulge in lane indiscipline. A lot of them negotiate the walkway.
Speaking to Sunday Trust on why motorists indulge in lane indiscipline, a taxi driver at Mabushi in the FCT, who simply identified himself as Richard said, “Nigerians have a very bad driving culture. I often marvel at how a lot of us drive. We drive like unintelligent people. It is a very serious matter the Federal Road Safety Corps should tackle very well. There should be more sensitisation. Unfortunately, those who make the laws have no respect for them. Something needs to be done. Road safety corps are doing a good job, no doubt, but they need to double their efforts in this matter.’’
Another taxi driver, Bartholomew Saleh said, “Let me tell you, many of us don’t make use of our brains while driving. We don’t think properly, and we take a lot of things for granted, including issues of security. Also, Nigerians are always in a hurry. To make matters worse, such people even drive on unwarranted speed. And with the advent of modern vehicles that accelerate up to 60 kilomentres per hour within seconds, the situation becomes more dangerous. We have terrible habits in this country.’’
Last week, the media was awash with the news of how Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State “arrested’’ and reprimanded two military officers for driving on the dedicated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane at the Outer Marina on the Island. It was a clear case of lane indiscipline by the officers.
The governor expressed shock that those who are expected to ensure compliance to the law were the ones indulging in lane indiscipline.
The governor’s action was said to have attracted the attention and admiration of commuters and passersby who showered encomium on him for showing a good leadership.
Speaking after the incident, Fashola said, “There is zero tolerance for lawlessness. We are going to take control of our traffic.
“I don’t use the BRT lane, I sit down in traffic and I expect everyone who wants to drive his car to do the same.’’
Speaking further on how the FRSC tackles the menace of lane indiscipline, the public education officer said,” Essentially, we do a daily analysis of traffic trends and devise strategies on how to address them. During our weekly management meetings we do collation of reports from our various formations across the country and utilise the available data bothering on traffic crashes, traffic offences and offenders. There are other variables to work out modalities towards reversing these trends. Furthermore, we carry out sustained public engagement processes through motor park rallies, motorised campaigns, advocacy visits to relevant partners, media advocacies, collaboration with stakeholders and strict enforcement of traffic rules and regulations. As an elite organisation we rely on public engagement to achieve set goals.
“To address the issue of lane indiscipline we are taking further steps to arrest and prosecute offenders accordingly. We are working hard; we are determined to achieve sanity on Nigerian roads.”
Culled from Daily Trust
