The rise in road accidents has become an issue of serious concern. Every year, the number of unfortunate persons maimed or killed by road accidents keeps increasing.
Since ancient times, travel by road has been the most common and cheapest means of transportation. Presently, however, people travelling by road are seen as those who have a death wish. This is due to the high rate of road accidents that occur daily.
Road accidents are sudden, and often life-threatening events on the road, which may cause loss of lives and property.
But is it correct to refer to these events as accidents when in most cases they can easily be avoided?
Negligent Drivers
A common cause of road accidents is a reckless or negligent driver. Many drivers, after seemingly going to driving school, forget all road rules and regulations. Some engage in over speeding, others drive recklessly and some completely ignore traffic instructions.
Also, a good number of drivers do not even inspect their cars to make sure they are road worthy. There have been countless incidents of malfunctioning breaks, absence of front and rear lamps causing collisions, and many more.
These problems can easily be remedied if drivers obey the rules, respect one another on the road and make sure their cars are road worthy before they begin a road journey.
Corruption of Law Enforcement Agents
While the negligence of drivers is a matter of concern, the inability of road safety enforcement agencies to punish law breakers is also a contributory factor to the rise in road accidents.
Many drivers are reckless because they feel that with a simple bribe, they can go scot-free. Driving schools do not pay attention to the training of students and may accept a token in place of actual training of would-be drivers. This leaves the new drivers ill-equipped to handle the risks and other issues that are often encountered while using the road as a driver.
Law enforcement agencies can help in curbing the rise in road accidents by playing their part dutifully. They are to punish any traffic offender without fear or favour. They should always be alert at their duty posts and intervene when a road user is causing obstruction, driving in such a manner as to endanger other road users, or does not have the required qualifications or experience to be on the road as a driver.
Lack of Good Roads Has Caused a Rise in Road Accidents
Another significant cause of road accidents is the lack of good roads. Roads that are riddled with pot-holes, untarred, or without street lights are death traps for road users. Some roads do not have good drainage systems and when the rains come, the roads become flooded and dangerous to navigate by road users. Every rainy season, there are news reports of a flooded road carrying off the vehicle of a road user and killing all the occupants.
When traffic lights stop working, they are not repaired, street lamps and road markings are not maintained. All these factors contribute to the danger that is road accidents.
Curbing the Rise in Road Accidents
Road accidents can be reduced to a minimal level if the government of the day can rise to their responsibilities. Funds meant for the rehabilitation or construction of roads should not be diverted to personal pockets.
Law enforcement agents should be given adequate remuneration and training to help them to be positive-minded in carrying out their duties.
Road users should be given sensitization on proper road usage from time to time.
In summary, road accidents affect all directly or indirectly, and thus everyone has to play their part to ensure safe road usage which would go a long way in curbing the persistent rise in road accidents.
Selman Rio,
Abuja, Nigeria.
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