By : Adediran Monsurah Atinuke

Road accident is becoming the most deadly ailment in our national life. Air-craft could claim hundred of lives within few seconds but it is rare. Malaria and HIV/AIDS are though the global leading diseases; yet, their combined record of death is not as alarming as that of road accidents as it gives neither warning signals nor symptom to alert on the next victims, which could be ordinary passenger, passerby or the driver/rider.

Road accident is very pervasive; not restricted to high-ways as some believe. It is quite unfortunate that innocent souls have met their untimely deaths on our highways, path and rural areas as a result of brooding or carelessness on either the side of passers-by or drivers/riders. Aside, these are areas where some mothers care less about their kids; so, quite a number of children are found victims of such circumstance through street hawking.

Records have shown that the subject of discourse is always on the increase, especially when the year is drawing to an end. However, it should be noted that no day has ever passed without having major road accidents especially during the recent yuletide when people traveled in their large number.

Some agencies like National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has to continuously mount a campaign in our media to warn motorists on reckless driving and for the ordinary passerby and notorious street hawkers to be careful on the highways.

It is undoubtedly everyone wishes self a journey mercy, notwithstanding whatever comes our way either on the good side or otherwise, we are largely the architect of our fate. Lots of these occurrences is always as a corollary of our misconduct, disobedience to traffic laws by road users, aberrant acts among passengers or argument when on board among others. Really, bad roads can contributes to lost of lives but if care is taken and everybody realizes that a journey is a bridge between life and death on board, we will note that bad roads are least factor in what can contribute to the adverse increase in the lost of lives.

Even as we feel disgruntled over such disasters, little attention is given to the menace. We feel humane outright and thereafter, life goes on. It is high time we learnt from the mistake of the past. Life once lost can never be recovered as no man is rich enough to buy his past. Therefore, the need for life safety must be collaborative efforts of all and sundry because we are all road users.

Government equally has a role to play as right to safety is one of its onuses to its populace. Our government can assist not only on construction and maintenance of good roads but also in empowering the Road Safety Corp marshals. Undoubtedly, one of their efforts has been the increase charge rates on traffic-offenders. The recently launched call alert operation of the National Emergency Management Agency and Federal Road Safety Commission will go a long way in assisting the nation if sincerely implemented.

Besides, journalists equally have a role to play in safeguarding lives. The public needs to be sensitized, informed and educated on issue regarding the use of roads and need for safety consciousness because the life is for the living. With special attention in their editorials and programmes, print and broadcast media respectively, can help curb untimely death.

Individual should eschew hastiness and the claim of rights when on road. We should all understand the fact that our lives are our pride. Although naturally, life is all about risks, it is always advisable to take it responsibly when in haste.

Road accident is a menace that never informs. It is fast weakening strong homes and leaving behind sad memories of victims. It disrupts good dreams; there is no fast rule to preventing it. Road accident occurs each day, not only when the year draws to an end as people think. Therefore, we should be safety-conscious; not to be a victim of deadly circumstance waiting on the road.

 By : Adediran Monsurah Atinuke
adediran.atinuke@yahoo.com
Federal Ministry of Information and Communication
Abuja.