Curbing the menace of reckless driving BY PRISCILLA CHRISTOPHER

Perhaps the existence of human  rights, including the right to own properties and use them at will has resulted in the abuse of some privileges one of which includes the right to use the motorways. The advent of the motor car, no doubt created a craving in the minds of those who could afford it. Subsequently, the cost of acquiring a private car dwindled to an extremely affordable rate; making it a disposable commodity even among the middle class.

Sequel to this, those belonging to the wealthy class saw this competition as a race which must be won. Other brands of exorbitant cars started coming into view. The likes of SUV, Prado, Hummer and others became the ‘in-vogue’ object in the minds of the rich, particularly the politicians who acquired them to showcase their wealth. Then came the giving out of some of these cars to relatives, friends and others who with little or no knowledge of how to drive, receive the gifts from the ‘philanthropists’ with glee.

Thus, the records of ‘how many Toyota SUVs I have given out to people to aid their movement and increase their status’ becomes a song on the lips of praise-seeking politicians.
The pride of getting an ‘in-vogue’ car at no cost at all from a wealthy politician, gets into the head of the recipient and the drive to show the world how more privileged he/she is begins to take a toll on him/her. So, on the motorway, such drivers drive without a care in the world knowing full well that other vehicles world not dare come close to their ‘polished’ jeep. They defy traffic rules, drive recklessly and claim right when an accident they caused is obviously glaring.

In another instance, the promotion of motorcyclists to tricyclists has also given unqualified and unknowledgeable drivers an edge in the field of driving. All former motorcyclists now pride around as drivers because they now tour the road on three wheels which is just a wheel away from the car. The spirit of riding a bike, which was not quelled in them, still engulfs their drive-sense as the difference between the bike and the tricycles they now drive is clearly undefined.

The spate at which ‘keke’ drivers, as they are commonly called defy traffic rules is just too disgusting as they tend to compete with vehicle users. The impatience they exhibit at traffic points, their usage of speed lanes, the stopping at anywhere at regular intervals to pick-up or drop a passenger especially at corners, bends, highways as well as an inch from a traffic light is in all a nuisance to the aesthetics of the transport sector.

These drivers are fond of driving at high speeds, without being cautious of an on-coming vehicle hence, they end up at times, driving into the vehicle or the road division and thus, causing accidents to occur.

Of all road users, the tankers, lorry and tipper drivers are often termed to be the most dangerous. Sequel to this, those who have trusted their drivability always give them the road when they come in view. It is no news that after long hours of travelling, most drivers in this category fall asleep on the steering while many others must have indulged in heavy intake of alcohol or hard drugs before stepping on the wheels and they cause a greater percentage of ghastly accidents. Those who have had an encounter with them will attest to their insolence, indignity, impudence and impoliteness hence, the conclusion that they are most dreaded of all road users.

The aftermath of the activities of unqualified drivers in the society is unrivalled with that of any other destructive device. Lives and properties are lost daily, structures are deformed and people have been rendered fatherless, motherless or childless.

In Akwa Ibom State where such deaths are either narrowed to a programmed agenda in the spiritual realm or another effort by the ruling government to acquire more power and fame, the above-mentioned causes of road accidents is concurrent and sadly, over looked while the perpetrators and inventors of it go about their mis-deeds.

To curb this menace, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) alongside the Ministry of Transport and other agencies should go beyond the mere checking of particulars to fish out unqualified drivers beginning from the commercial to private drivers.

Those who also claim to be government drivers, PAs, commissioners and SA drivers should not be spared especially at a time like this where thuggery, maiming of innocent persons and kidnappings are on the increase.
There is no sense in making laws which will not be kept by it makers but the ruled only especially when the law itself does not say so.

It should be ensured that any road user, irrespective of the purpose of driving, has a license to do so. This way, road accidents will lesson and the scourge of accidents will be long forgotten.