AVERTING INCESSANT ROAD ACCIDENTS: SAFETY FOR ALL
In this part of the world, road accidents have become a common occurrence that nobody or agency cares to ask or find out what caused it and to make efforts to prevent further occurrence. The National Bureau of Statistics and Federal Road Safety Corps report that about 400,000 of the 11.654 million vehicles in the country are involved in road accidents. This means that an average of 2,042 deaths with about 100,000 crashes a year; one of the highest rates of road fatalities in the world. In Nigeria, road traffic accident is said to be the third leading cause of traumatic related deaths and the most common cause of all disabilities. These frightening statistics require urgent and concerted efforts on the part of all stakeholders to address this menace.
In Nigeria, causes of incessant road crashes and deaths have been identified to include over speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and other intoxicating substances, recklessly driving, overloading, poor or deplorable state of Nigerian roads, unworthy road vehicles, among others. Sadly, the consequences are usually fatal. Therefore, safety and prolonging of lives is sacrosanct.
Road safety is critical to the socioeconomic agenda of nations across the world. The world wide cost of road traffic is estimated to be U$518 billion annually. This impact has emerged as a significant safety concern where its occurrence on each passing day leads to the untimely end of valuable human and material resources. It is tiring to express that road safety is a timely critical move that must be urgently fixed and wholly addressed.
In that light, Safety Consultants and Solutions Provider as we are keen on safety and averting road crashes in order to enhance boost economic productivity and sustain life longitivtiy in the country. As a safety outfit, our desire for citizen’s safety and wellbeing is a top notch priority as safety is everyone’s business. It is expedient that road safety is fully addressed wholly in Nigeria.
On that note, we call for massive and continuous road safety enlightenment and safety campaigns across the federation to educate road users on safety use of the roads. This should include strict compliance and enforcement of traffic rules, traffic and driving lessons education among others. We call on the governments at all levels to immediately fix and repair all bad roads with periodic maintenance at intervals. Also road signs should be displayed at strategic locations where they can be seen and adhered to, We equally implore Road Safety Corps to carry out alcohol and drug test frequently on drivers to ascertain their mental and agile state, as they equally regulate speed limit and enforce the use of seat belt while driving.
From us at Safety Consultants and Solutions Providers (SCSP), it is our desire that the menace of frequent road accident is thoroughly addressed. The safety of Nigerians and their livelihoods is a big priority to us; our desire is that our roads are accident free and journeys are safe.
