In the previous week, we looked at the interesting experience of using Nigerian roads. We also looked at the need for motorists to be mindful of pedestrians as they also have a right to the roads as well. In this second part, we will focus our attention on Pedestrians, issues of road safety infrastructure, road rules and regulatory measures by the government.
Pedestrians
So, besides the motorists, there are pedestrians who tend to walk carelessly, somehow mindless of the fact that they are on the road. This further increases the impatience of the already impatient generation of motorists. As pedestrians, we have the responsibility to be attentive and mindful of our safety and the safety of others.
Let me tell you a story.
I was once in a public bus sitting right next to the door at the back. Behind me (also close to the door) sat a young man. Even before the vehicle moved, it was easy to notice that this young man was not fully himself. Well, he smelt alcohol and could barely hold himself together. So, the bus filled up and moved. And of course, you may know that these buses move without the back door being closed. So, if you are by the door, your own safety is largely in your hand. You must hold on to something to ensure that you do not fall off the vehicle as it moves. So, this bus continued moving.
Just at some point, the driver very likely tried to avoid knocking down a ‘not so elderly’ man. The man was crossing the road with quite some lack of attention as he simply just walked into the road. So, as the driver applied brake suddenly, the ‘drunk’ young man sitting behind me tumbled swiftly and lightly out of the vehicle. And we all heard his head hit the tarred road. Right there he lay. Blood began gushing from his head. All the passengers had to disembark, and he was put in another vehicle and likely taken to the hospital. Till date, I have no idea if that young man survived that ordeal.
The man who had been crossing the road like a ‘freelance’ saw what had happened. As people began pointing fingers at him, he hastened his steps and quickly disappeared into a nearby compound. This was a clear example of how the conduct of a pedestrian can contribute or take away from one’s and/or others’ safety.
A lot of the challenges we face on the roads also have to do with infrastructural challenges as well as the uneducated mindset we carry around with us.
Lack of Infrastructure
The state of our basic road infrastructure is as follows:
- Some roads are too narrow hence vehicles struggle with pedestrians for space;
- There are no walkways/pavements along the road for pedestrians to safely walk on;
- Our drainages are open and hence pose a physical danger especially after it rains and one cannot differentiate between road and drainage;
- Open drainages easily get blocked with refuse, hence do not support the passage of water; some roads have no drainage, so they get flooded with water when it rains. Both motorists and pedestrians are placed at risk and of course this causes the road to erode faster;
- Sometimes walkways are not built across busy express roads, so pedestrians risk being knocked down by fast coming vehicles when they try to cross;
- Important road signages, such as Stop, Children Crossing, the blind crossing are missing;
- Traffic lights and road markings to guide motorists are often missing;
- Indiscriminate parking by motorists pose a big danger to all; and so forth.
Lack of Knowledge of Road Safety Rules
The other part of the challenge is the lack of education on basic road safety rules. There is a whole lot in this regard which cannot be covered here. Besides, rules for motorists abound, besides that which needs to be observed by pedestrians. However, a few basic rules, even for children include:
- Stop, look and think, before you cross the road. Avoid crossing the road in a hurry. Yet, we do this all the time, and in fact, we even pass in between moving cars. This can pose some danger.
- Always look left, right and left again before crossing.
- Listen when using the road. You cannot have an earphone on either as a pedestrian or motorists. You need to listen to traffic signals.
- Avoid intoxication with Alcohol by both motorist and pedestrian as it compromises one’s judgement on the road. Do not drink and drive.
- Use zebra crossings, both motorists and pedestrians.
- Do not overtake a vehicle that is stopping or has stopped at a crossing. (www.googleweblight.com)
Zebra Crossing
To many, zebra crossing signs are more like a decoration on the road. It is honestly of no value to many because they have not been socialized and educated with the relevant information. In our country, expecting a vehicle to stop for you to cross at a zebra crossing could be a fatal expectation because it is unfortunately just not in the culture of most of our motorists to do so. I have lived in a country in Africa where zebra crossing is highly regarded, so I know that it is possible to educate the people and get it into their road culture.
Now, a basic definition of Zebra crossing is:
“An area of road painted with broad white stripes, where vehicles MUST STOP if pedestrians wish to cross”.
The Cambridge dictionary defines it as:
“A place on a road, especially one where there is a lot of traffic, across which wide, black and white lines are painted, and at which vehicles MUST STOP to allow people to walk across the road.”
General Rules on Pedestrians Crossing
- You must give way to pedestrians crossing the road into which you are turning;
- You must also give way to pedestrians – even if there is no marked pedestrian crossing – if there is a danger of colliding with them.
Role of Government
Government can do more to provide the needed infrastructure to ensure that pedestrians, cyclists and motorists move around safely and respect one another.
Government can:
- Build walkways/pavements by the road for pedestrians
- Build overhead walkway across busy routes so that pedestrians can safely walk across from one side of the road to another.
- Bicycle riders too can be provided for rather than having to compete with motorists for the use of roads.
- Build drainage with pavements covering them to prevent pedestrians hurting themselves accidentally.
- Have designated bus stops where pedestrians can pick a vehicle to their destinations. This will create more order and will contribute to the safety of pedestrians who wait randomly at any spot for a transport vehicle.
- Use relevant agencies and jingles to educate people on basic road safety rules.
A tribute to motorists and pedestrians who are mindful of their safety and that of others when using the roads. Please continue to be an example because you are saving lives.
Regulatory Measures
Rules may exist, but they need to be continuously enforced. The issue of acquisition of driver’s license, lack of genuine regulation and lack of compliance with all the stipulated regulations are a huge part of the problem. Sometimes, people obtain driving licenses without necessarily having the competence suitable to a road user/motorist.
While Infrastructure is being put in place, and the people get educated on road safety rules, various regulatory and enforcement measures must also be in place.
(The End)
Together We Can… Obey the Rules of Road Safety
Hence what YOU DO matters!
DISCLAIMER
The OPINION / COLUMN is authored by independent contributors to the National Accord Newspaper. While contributors adhere to our editorial guidelines, they are not employed by the National Accord Newspaper. The perspectives and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of the National Accord Newspaper or its staff.