The Ten Commandments (Part 1)

In that piece I expressed the worry of the Federal Road Safety Corps on the increasing cases of speed related crashes on our roads and the planned enforcement drive tagged, Flying Ticket which I hope to treat in a couple of weeks. Today, I have decided to refresh your memory with tips that should guide […]

In that piece I expressed the worry of the Federal Road Safety Corps on the increasing cases of speed related crashes on our roads and the planned enforcement drive tagged, Flying Ticket which I hope to treat in a couple of weeks. Today, I have decided to refresh your memory with tips that should guide you as we face the challenges of driving during the Ember Months.
Below, I have tried to distil for you a set of guidelines, which I believe would vastly improve your chances of having a safe motoring during the Ember Months..
First Commandment: Thou shall not drive a motorized vehicle without a valid driver’s license
National Road Traffic Regulations, 2014 specifically prohibits anybody who is not properly licensed from driving a vehicle. A valid driver’s license is your legal right to drive on Nigerian roads. This legal right specifies and restricts you to the kind of vehicle you can drive.
Second Commandment: Thou shall diligently ensure thy vehicle is in good condition
You must diligently ascertain whether your vehicle meets the minimum safety standard despite the biting and crippling effects of your pocket. Simply put, this means that you must ensure your vehicle is well maintained and that all the necessary safety devises are in proper working condition. Don’t pay lip service to safety. Vehicle maintenance is key to safety. Remember that mechanical factor is one of the three ingredients responsible for road crashes. Having a sound vehicle is therefore a plus.
Third Commandment: Only in sound state of mind and body shall you drive a vehicle
Before you sit behind the steering wheel you must critically ascertain whether you are in an emotionally, mentally and physically sound state to drive a vehicle. Driving is pleasure, but this same pleasure kills, and has indeed ended the lives of numerous people who before they embarked on the journey were   convinced that the drivers were sound. These victims trusted their lives in a hand of drivers whose mental, emotional and physical state they could not ascertain. So the choice you make is key. If it is not a personal vehicle, then you must be sure you patronize a transporter with a track record of safety. A good number of people, especially in our clime drive under emotional stress. Some do so under financial stress. It is important that you stay of the wheels if you have issue to contend with-issues that would affect your total concentration on the wheels. If you just won a jackpot from any of the ongoing promos, please allow someone else drive you or lest you kill yourself because of excitement.   
Fourth Commandment: you shall not engage in reckless overtaking
You must study and understand traffic rules and regulations good driving culture. A typical Nigerian driver is self-centred and is not willing to share the road with other motorist. He exhibits this self-centred nature more often when another motorist tries to overtake him. Therefore, when overtaking another vehicle, do so when you are sure it is legal and safe for you and other road users. The road signs and marking will always guide you on when and where to overtake. The choice to determine when it is safe becomes yours to make and is it necessary. You must lean hoe to use your mirrors and glance behind you to see the blind sports. Remember the look, look again and move routine. Overtake only on the left and avoid overtaking on a hill, bend, built up areas or pedestrian crossing.
Fifty Commandments: thou shall diligently observe speed limits
Observe speed limits specified by traffic regulations for different vehicles. Speed is one of the critical factors identified by the World Health Organization and World Bank as responsible for increased fatalities. What this simply means is that in the event of a crash, the chance of survival is dependent on you speed. So if you are a speed freak, watch that speed. Don’t forget that as you speed, anything can happen such as tyre burst, brake failure or even a pedestrian crossing the road. Whenever you speed, remember that at 100km/ph, a vehicle moves at 28 meters per seconds on a road. The speed limit for private cars on an expressway is 100km/ph. Taxis and buses are allowed to maintain speed limit of 90km/ph on an expressway while articulated vehicles like tankers and trailers are to maintain speed limits of 60km/ph on the expressway and 50km/ph on the highway. Within built-up areas, taxis and buses are to maintain speed limits of 50km/ph.
However, you must note that common sense often dictates lower speed limits. Common sense speed should therefore be lower in bad weather, or bad roads. The same should apply when the roads are busier.
Sixth Commandment learn the art of defensive driving
Globally, defensive driving is the ‘voodoo’ to safety on the road. It is therefore and all round medication. A defensive driver assumes he is the only sane on the road. Since crashes are caused by individual errors, he is always cautious, obeys all rules, develop the right attitude such as patience, care, skill and consideration for other road users. A defensive driver never allows his safety to depend on the response of others, anticipates wrong action of other gives correct, prompt, adequate and clear signals.
(To be concluded next week.)