Still on the ‘Ember’ months: Between J4 and Ovia Rivers

Today, I intend to focus on J4 AND and ovie river, NOT THE J5 BUS. It is therefore not by mere coincidence that both rivers presently ranked among the killer spots located on our highways. By the FRSC definition, a black spot refers to a portion where road crashes have historically been concentrated. It may […]

Today, I intend to focus on J4 AND and ovie river, NOT THE J5 BUS. It is therefore not by mere coincidence that both rivers presently ranked among the killer spots located on our highways. By the FRSC definition, a black spot refers to a portion where road crashes have historically been concentrated. It may have occurred for a variety of reasons, such as a sharp drop or corner in a straight road, so oncoming traffic is concealed, a hidden junction on a fast road, poor or concealed warning signs at a cross-roads or failed portion of the road which sharply careers into a ditch thus posing serious traffic hazards for unsuspecting motorists. The two rivers because of their notoriety fit into the global definition of a black spot.

Reports from both the Sector Commander Edo State and the Ijebu-Ode Unit Command of the FRSC which enjoys proximity with the two rivers, paints worrisome pictures that must not be ignored by travellers and specifically government agencies on whose shoulders rest the responsibility of fixing the problem or even providing a cosmetic solution that could save life’s even temporarily. From Ijebu Ode,the report indicates that between January 15 and 19 October of this year, this “Black spot” has accounted for 8 crashes with 6 turning out fatal, killing a total of 35 fellow Nigerians and leaving 30 others with serious injuries. Further details from Ijebu-Ode indicate that 91 persons and 12 vehicles were involved in these crashes with causes ranging from tyre burst to dangerous driving, speed violation and loss of control thus indicating that even in the face of the nature of this portion of the highway, attitude stands out as a determinant variable which should ensure safer passage by drivers and passengers through the dreaded J4 river which can easily be described as Nigeria’s own version of Bermuda Triangle.

As we recall the crashes along this route, one sad but very traumatic was the sudden death of 16 persons who were enroute to Edo State for a burial. Eyewitness account had it that the burial party departed Lagos with the Coaster bus with registration number: BWR428XA without the slightest idea of not reaching their destination. The driver was reported to have dozed-off as the bus approached the J4 river even on a high speed and before you say Jack Robinson, the bus veered off the road and plunged into the River. The survivors were so lucky to have been flung out through the windows of the bus while the other occupants ended up in the river drowned: fatigue linked to attitude.

Ovia River Bridge on Benin-Sagamu dual carriageway reels with similar tales. Recently, a multiple fatal crash was recorded, 13km from the notorious Ovia River along the Benin-Ore road, involving 5 vehicles. Under this circumstance, an IVECO Truck collided with a Hiace bus, Camry car, an Audi and Peugeot 406 as a result of light signal violation, brake failure and loss of control in which 2 died and 4 others maimed for life with serious injuries: poor maintenance culture also linked to attitude.

. As we approach the peak of this season, we need to ponder over these ugly incidents and note that most of the road crashes witnessed on our highways can to a large extent, be avoided if the motorists drive with the right frame of mind, drive with consideration for other road users and comply with all traffic rules while government plays its part.

According to Winston Churchill, attitude is the little thing that makes the big difference. Attitudinal change we must agree takes some time to effect like in the case of the UK where it took 30years to achieve. But while we emphasize the need for this change to begin, it is imperative that corrective measures to address the peculiarity of these two rivers and others be taken. With regards to road traffic crashes along Ovia River Bridge on Benin – Sagamu dual carriage way, an assessment was conducted in August, 2009 to unravel the remote causes of these crashes.

The assessment attributed salient causes to the poor vertical and horizontal alignment of the road as evident in the deep slopes and sharp bends on this section. This was further aggravated by lack of appropriate warning signs, road markings and broken guardrails. As a response,, some safety improvement measures which included speed breakers, solar powered Amber Lights, speed limiting sign, Narrow bridge sign, Dangerous bend signs and Informative sign boards were installed to improve safety and reduce the rate and severity of road mishap in the mentioned area.

However, two years after the intervention, the problem persisted as safety improvement measures installed were neither serving the intended purposes nor adequate for the section. A week-long observatory research conducted by FRSC around the bridge revealed the following; that the spiral and hilly nature of the road before and after Ovia River still poses a major threat as unsuspecting and careless drivers while on (top speed)could lose control along this axis, the guardrails designed to protect vehicles from plunging into the river at both sides of the bridge and road median have collapsed, and that the width of the bridge is narrower when compared to the width of the abutting road to the bridge. It further noted that the bridge surface experienced surface unevenness which could be attributed to overlay and that roadside weeds have outgrown the height of the signs installed thereby preventing motorists from getting correct information, while the speed breakers installed are too small in size to enforce speed reduction as it has been noticed that speed attained by vehicles are the same while travelling before and on the bumps. Warning signs in form of Solar Powered Amber Light Sign, Narrow Bridge, Dangerous Bend, Speed Limiting sign and Informative sign board were all installed to improve safety thereafter.