So many people have become physically disabled and some have lost their lives by not obeying traffic laws ans guidelines. Bad habits are very difficult to break once formed, particularly in a country where people just sit behind a steering wheel without any formal driving lessons which would qualify them to take a formal driving test to attain a full legal driver's license.
Have you ever arrived home after a hard day's work feeling so tired and fatigue; not because of the job but because of the stressful driving experience you encountered. Those frustrations made you blow horn continuously, forcing you to shout out and strain your voice almost leading to an exchange of abusive words to a fellow driver in anger. Some vehicle users find it so difficult to obey very simple driving and traffic laws; it's almost a culture to cause pandemonium! The couteuos and polite driver is often referred to as unlearned; whilst a rough, careless and inconsiderate driver is hailed 'on point'.
1. Restlessness /Tiredness- some drivers are so unfriendly and impatience that they cannot stat on the queue or in traffic even when there is an obvious traffic jam ahead. They move from one lane to another to beat the traffic jam and abuse those actually on the queue. In order to avoid this, drivers must be patient and show saneness on the roads. A lack of sleep. Park and rest! That's what tye traffic law says. It could save both your life and many other people's lives too!
2. Drink & Drive - driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs are extremely dangerous. Bothe chemicals work on the brain, in this manner creating effects, such as blurred vision, slow reaction time, wrong judgement, and aggressiveness towards others.
3. Distraction - it's not just the pretty lady that causes distraction on the street, Drivers who indulge in making or receiving calls, texting, eating, drinking, smoking, making up, shaving and even arguing can cause an accident. Children not securely fastened in car seats or standing up in the car can cause a terrible accident including fatalities.
4. Bumper To Bumper - tale gating another vehicle without leaving adequate distance to break is extremely dangerous. Under normal driving environment, you should apply the two-second rule, but on wet roads, you should increase it to the four-second rule. Following too closely is the main cause of multiple accidents. No matter what, the driver who hits the back is at fault!
5. Overtaking Wrongly -is dangerous and has become a major cause of road traffic collisions in Nigeria. Before you overtake, you must ask whether it is necessary, safe, within the speed limit rule and whether it can be done without disrespect to other road users. Remember, your land or a passengers hands is not an indicator. You could lose it and become disabled.
6. Poor Lane Management - many drivers (private and commercial) don't know how to keep their vehicles in lane when driving. Your vehicle should always be positioned at the middle of your lane without trespassing to the next lane except whislt overtaking. Internal and side mirrors are essential for this process. Mirror, Blind Spot, Mirror! Raise your right hand to say thanks!
7. Clunk Click - adhering to wearing the seatbelt is essential to saving lives, likewise bike riders wearing the helmet. Many persons have died needlessly by ignoring this simple law. It is seen so many times where passengers are packed like sardines in a private or commercial vehicle, adults lapping adults and adults carrying small children without harness is a recipe for disaster. The most terrifying sight is the mother on a bike, motorcycle pregnant, backing a child, and having one child at the front of the rider. Complete families have been known to lose their lives this way.
8. Over Speeding - some drives are already addicted to over speeding on a bad roads, in congested areas, in school and hospital car parks etc. This is also another major cause of accidents.
9. Minor Accident - when there is a minor accident; drivers should park their cars off the road rather than cause a tale back of traffic.
10. Other Bad Habits - include wrong lane formation, driving off-lane (driving on hard shoulder), speeding at traffic lights to beat the red light, driving without lights, continuously blasting the horn, vehicle overloading and overweight, speeding on wet road, disobedient to traffic officers, driving against traffic, (law enforcement officers being the worst culprits!). Commercial and private drivers stopping their vehicles right in front of you to drop off and pick up passenger without as much as a, "one second please", taking over like the "King of the road". No consideration for others.
Respect Yourself, Respect Others, Be Responsible For Your Actions!
Conduct yourself with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity