Onabanjo varsity 12 student’s death

According to Commander of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Tommy Hamzat, the crash occurred as a result of ahead-on-collision between a truck and a Mazda bus conveying the students from Ijebu area to Lagos. He said the truck with registration number Lagos, BDG 779XE, drove against traffic, before ramming into the oncoming Mazda bus […]

According to Commander of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Tommy Hamzat, the crash occurred as a result of ahead-on-collision between a truck and a Mazda bus conveying the students from Ijebu area to Lagos. He said the truck with registration number Lagos, BDG 779XE, drove against traffic, before ramming into the oncoming Mazda bus with registration number, XV 311 MUS. The students died on the spot after the container pinned the bus in which they were traveling to the ground.  Spokesman for the police, Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, also confirmed the incident, adding that the police will commence investigation into the matter, especially at getting the owner of the truck and subsequent arrest of the fleeing driver. The only survivor, a 300-levelChemistry student of the institution, is at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu, and in a critical state. Shortly after the incident, angry students of the university embarked on a protest, demanding compensation for their deceased colleagues. Following the protest, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun pledged to introduce traffic laws and ensure implementation. He said the government in the state would continue to empower traffic and security agents for optimal performance.”The highway lawlessness which has pervaded our nation is more pronounced in this state because the expressways predominantly lie within our corridor. We feel this lawlessness every day. A sane mind does not need to be told to desist from driving against traffic. We need the capacity to address this menace. We will look into the federal highway codes and domesticate it. We will even make itmore potent and endeavour to criminalize traffic offense.
Besides, our problem is not the law but its enforcement. This is the reason we will not relent in supporting our traffic and security agencies for better performance,” he said. We condole with the students of the university and family of the deceased over the incident, while condemning the recklessness of the truck driver.  This incident re-emphasis the dangers on roads across the country and as such should serve as a wake-up call to the Federal Road Safety Commission.  Even the FRSC, in a statement recently noted that most road crashes in the country are caused by traffic rules violation. Therefore, the commission needs to do more in that area. It is true that the FRSC is doing a lot to reduce road crashes across the country, but there are gaps to be filled. The agency can introduce motorized patrols so that it improves visibility on major roads and highways. Stiffer penalty should be introduced for traffic offenders and the law should be implemented in totality.  Ogun State governor promised to ensure that the truck driver is arrested and punished; this should not just be a political statement. The driver must be caught and example made out of him to serve as deterrent to others.   It is worrisome that it is only after this sort of accident that the state is planning to introduce traffic laws. However, it is better late than never. Governments of other states should also introduce traffic rules and in states where there already exist, strict implementation must be ensured.
We recommend that they emulate Lagos State, where one-way driving which is driving against traffic now attracts a three-year jail term, while a first offender gets a one-year term and the vehicle forfeited to the state government.  There is also need for road users to be patient when they are behind the wheels. Driving against traffic is not anusual sight on our roads, especially in areas that are known of gridlocks; therefore, authorities should map out such routes and ensure constant presence. People must know that the idea of driving against traffic because of gridlockis totally unacceptable. Authorities in charge of licensing have a huge role to play in ensuring safer roads in the country also. They must ensure that only people who have been tested and passed such tests are issued licenses to drive cars. If the river of the truck was properly trained, maybe he would not have been traveling with an unlatched container, therefore, greater emphasis should be placed on training.
Licenses should not be issued by proxy; just as minors should not be issued such certificates. Apart from checking for the driver’s ability, the authorities should also ensure that people issued permits to drive are mentally stable.
Politicians have a role to play in this matter as well. While empowering constituents with tricycles and motorcycles is a laudable idea, they should go further by organizing training for the beneficiaries, before actually handing-over the keys to them. All hands must be on deck towards ensuring safer roads.