Editor’s note: Gbolahan Lateef Olayiwola, the NAIJ.com partner blogger, explains why FRSC and instructors must be blamed for poor driving culture in Nigeria.
Gbolahan Lateef Olayiwola is an economist by training and a chartered accountant by certification.
His expertise cuts across a gamut of responsibilities such as financial planning, auditing, budget control, and financial forecasting and enterprise development.
He is a goal-driven professional with acute attention to details and strong ability to spot unusual opportunities for revenue generation and sustainable business growth.
He could be contacted via: latola05@gmail.com, +2348032581200
The alarming rate of road accidents in Nigeria has increased my worries about the actual functions of both the FRSC and driving instructors in Nigeria.
To a great extent, FRSC and driving instructors drive the motoring industry in Nigeria but it appears many instructors in the country do not have proper knowledge on how to train people.
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It is also glaring that the process of driver’s licence issuance is grossly faulty. Majority did not go through the appropriate driving training, worst still, majority merely get licensed right inside their living rooms without going through any formal training and driving tests. For instance, I have always seen people drive slowly in the fast lanes on the roads.
You often see motorists overtake others from the right side of the road which is wrong. Overtaking should be done from the left side of the road. The major culprits are commercial bus drivers and the taxi drivers who always seem to be in a hurry.
Besides, some motorists rarely turn on indicators while overtaking, or making turns at a junction. Some even do not know what lane to drive on when approaching turn-off points.
Commercial motorcycle riders with no single knowledge of traffic signs also pose greater dangers on our highways throughout Nigeria.
I see a lot of heavy duty trucks drive in the night with no or just one headlamp on, a lot of innocent lives are being taken in Nigeria due to the lapses of the FRSC. Its alarming at how Nigerians abuse the use of horns, I kept wondering why everyone is always on the fast track.
The wearing of seatbelts is also problem to some motorists some of whom wear them half way. Worst still, some parents wear seatbelts but leave their children to play in the front seat without seatbelts on.
If proper attention is not given to the subject of safe driving in Nigeria, FRSC and instructors will continue to produce bunch of murderers on our highways. The judicial system is not helping matters as several traffic offenders are not properly investigated and prosecuted due to the high rate of porosity in the system.
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We need to change our attitudes across boards, give way to your fellow Nigerian driver on the road, don’t drag the roads, let’s start to show love to ourselves by smilingly giving way, extend this to those who wish to cross the road, stop for them and let them feel loved.
Please share this message if you want saner drivers on our highways.
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had previously reported that the corps marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi, adding that a massive self-cleansing to rid the corps of corrupt officials is ongoing.
Gbolahan has worked in leading financial/auditing firms and establishments such as Deloitte and American International School, Lekki Lagos.
At present, he consults for large and medium firms across Nigeria on feasibility studies, business development and preparation of business plans
He is also the executive director of Bikers academy and hygiene support foundation, a non-governmental organization in Ibadan.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of NAIJ.com. NAIJ.com welcomes writers, bloggers, photographers and all sorts of “noise makers” to become a part of our Bloggers network. If you are a seasoned writer or a complete newbie – apply and become Nigeria’s next star blogger.
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Source: Naija.ng