By Demi Adeniyi
There would be no meaningful reduction to road traffic crashes until Nigerian governments enforce stricter regulations towards the acquisition of driver’s licences, the Group Managing Director of Temple Group Ltd, Prince Olusegun Obayendo has said.
Speaking on Tuesday at a road safety awareness campaign organised by the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIOTA), in conjunction with Lagos Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), for drivers at Ojota New Garage, Obayendo said a country that enjoys cutting corners in everything, including getting drivers licences would not be able to achieve a reduction in road crashes.
According to him, the system which qualifies just everyone to drive on the road without emphasising the need for thorough and proper drivers training before getting to the road, would continue to be a recipe for road crashes.
Obayendo who narrated his experience acquiring United Kingdom drivers licence said: “Drivers test in the United Kingdom is tougher than passing Oxford or Cambridge Examinations, and I am yet to see any Nigerian who can pass the drivers exam on first trial, because of our driving culture. To get it right and reduce road carnage, we must begin by ensuring that we put in place a tough training schedule for anyone who wanted to drive on the road.”
CIOTA President/Chairman of Council, Dr Bashir Yusuf Jamoh said traffic injuries around the world showed that accidents is responsible for 1.25 million deaths and about 50 million injured yearly.
He said CIOTA is worried and has collaborated with the FRSC and other Stakeholders because accidents is yearly hitting at the youth population, killing them outright, or rendering them permanently injured and unfit for any other responsibilities.
“With only 2 percent of the world’s vehicles but 16 percent of road fatalities, Africa is being hit partly hard by the global road safety crisis that must be addressed before it escalated”, he said.
He urged drivers to always obey all traffic rules and regulations and slowed all their conduct on the wheels be guided by the fact that lives of all passengers who boarded their vehicle are on their hands.
The Secretary, Lagos Motor Parks and Garages Authority (LMPGA), Dr Taiwo Salaam urged drivers, as catalyst for a nation’s economic development must realise that they occupy a very strategic position and providing an essential service which requires that acquisition of skills.
Salaam, who was the lead speaker at the event, urged all drivers, before embarking on a journey, to ensure that their vehicles are in good and serviceable condition, reduce recklessness on the road and to put an end to flouting roads regulations.
Speaking on the theme of the campaign “Natural disasters, road worthiness and safety rules enforcement in Nigeria” Salaam said Lagos State Governments arming LASTMA officers in body cameras, and are installing more the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera devices on major roads, which would further reduce driver/VIO or LASTMA interference adding that soon, drivers/motorists caught infringing any of the traffic regulations would have their fines posted to them via emails or text messages.
The Lagos State Sector Commander Segun Ogungbemide said safety is everybody’s responsibility. He urged the leaders of the drivers unions to continue to educate their members on the need to help reduce carnage on the roads.
Ogungbemide who was represented by Commander Olapoju Olakojo emphasised that transportation plays a critical role in the development of any country adding that as critical stakeholders drivers must stop being treated as victims or misfits, but be strategic in partnering with all road safety agencies to sanitize the sector.
Chairman of the Lagos State Parks and Garages Management Authority Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya pledged the commitment of all drivers in the state government to road safety.
He said the LSPGMA, would continue to partner with the state government to rid the roads of carnage.
Akinsanya who was represented by Comrade Olayiwola Ilemboye urged all drivers to take their activities on the road serious, adding that the agency is committed to partnering with the federal.and state governments commitments to reduce road accidents and carnage.
According to him, drivers must continue to be guided by the various don’ts that guides their activities – Don’t Drink and Drive, Don’t Drive if you are not okay, and Don’t manage a vehicle that has already given you faulty signs before leaving your garages and parks.
“As professionals, let us eat well, let us rest well and let us take care of our health and our vehicles to reduce carnage on the roads,” the transport leader said.
Chairman of the Ojota New Garage Comrade Ifeoluwa Adenusi commended CIOTA, FRSC and other Stakeholders for bringing the safety campaign back to the garage.
He said regularly, the same message is being drummed to the ears of all members even by the Chairman of the Lagos Parks and Garages Management, Musiliu Akinsanya, and pledged total commitment to partner with the state government in making the road safe for all road users.