Yuletide: Significance and adherence to traffic rules

Yuletide, a season of hope, peace and joyful celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ all over the world is again around the corner. The season and reason for the celebration means different things to different people. Many view it as a time for annual celebration of friends and family reunion, of individuals and communal […]

Yuletide, a season of hope, peace and joyful celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ all over the world is again around the corner. The season and reason for the celebration means different things to different people.
Many view it as a time for annual celebration of friends and family reunion, of individuals and communal feats. Less than one month to Christmas, the world and Nigeria are looking forward to this annual Christian event. Many are billed to journey home to reunite with families, friends and well-wishers. In Nigeria, apart from elaborately celebrating its significance, the season is often characterised by huge vehicular movement of people, goods and services within the length and breadth of the nation.
However, the joy of the festive period is more often than not short-lived owing to some prevailing human and environmental circumstances. Therefore, before you embark on that journey to the waiting warm embrace of your family far away home this Christmas season, it will not be out of place to put the following factors into utmost consideration. Think safety first! A journey is considered safe only when passengers arrive safely to their various destinations.
Nothing kills on Nigerian roads like over-speeding. The stipulated 80kph for passenger buses are flagrantly abused while 100kph for private vehicles are contemptuously ignored to the detriment of the passengers and the society. The law guiding speed limits should be strictly adhered to especially this season by road users while seat belts must always be put on when driving.
The rate of road accidents recorded within the supposed joyous period is very alarming.  Most road users including drivers should be abreast of traffic rules. Therefore, before a driver inserts the key into the ignition of that vehicle he must be at home with the enabling traffic laws guiding his driving conduct. The literates who can read and interpret road signs should be allowed to acquire drivers licence before plying our roads.
It has been established that most road accidents are caused by impatience of the drivers and other road users. Garments of patience are recommended apparels for everyone when using the road. The reality of the existence of objects, stray animals and the surprises they could spring are critical elements which deserve the patience of road users this season of celebration.
Be aware of the fact that with the exception of you, every other driver on the road is deemed as insane. Therefore, drivers should be extremely cautious and possess defensive driving skills. Standard safe practices for motor vehicle operation defines defensive driving skills as “driving to save lives, time, and money, in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of others.” It is a form of training for motor vehicle drivers that goes beyond mastery of the rules of the road and the basic mechanics of driving.
Its aim is to reduce the risk of collision by anticipating dangerous situations, despite adverse conditions or the mistakes of others. This can be achieved through adherence to a variety of general guidelines, such as following the assured clear distance ahead and two second rules, as well as the practice of specific driving techniques.”
Many drivers and transport operators desire to make much during Christmas. They embark on as many trips as possible and based on that throw caution to the wind while driving.  In the final analysis, the unfortunate aftermath of impatience which would have taken may be five seconds of restraint often leads to untimely death, hospitalisation of casualties, hospital bill, trauma, litigation and takes more than one month to finally address.  When was the last time you serviced that car you intend to travel home with? The state of private or public vehicles on our roads deserves adequate care for them to give optimal performance. Evidences of old and rickety vehicles which have no business plying our roads are common sights to behold. One wonders what a moving caskets they all really are.
There is always a noticeable attitude or tendency of primitive accumulation of more wealth for the season. The society witnesses increase in the nefarious activities of armed robbers and ritualists who are on the prowl to making evil money to prove that they have arrived. Moreover, unnecessary hike in the cost of goods and services unfortunately characterises the celebration of the birth of Christ. We have come to terms with the culture and make desperate effort to shop one or two weeks before the celebration because of the above anticipated upsurge in costs of goods and services. If one must drink and drive, it must be cold natural water.  The state of mind of the driver goes a long way in shaping the fate of every journey. How healthy and mentally alert is the man behind the wheels?
Some sick and tired drivers had depended on alcohol or other stimulants to stay alert while driving. The habit has led to unimaginable disaster and road carnages of monumental proportion.
Nigerian roads are terribly in bad shape. This situation has negatively affected the condition of vehicles and made journeys regrettably cumbersome. Cautious meandering through these dilapidated roads has become the way out for commuters. Safety on roads should be the catchphrase as Nigerians prepare for this Yuletide season.
Sunday Onyemaechi Eze is a media and communications specialist
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