Driving Against Traffic

 love Lagos. My reasons are numerous. For starters, I am a Bariga boy who grew up in Ilaje Bariga. Secondly, I schooled in Lagos. CMS Grammar School and National College, all in Bariga. I am an Akokite; graduated from the prestigious University of Lagos before my sojourn at the Times Journalism School, Lagos before my baptism at the defunct Concord Press where I walked the same turf where the likes of Tunji Bello, Sam Omatseye, Victor Ifijeh, Louis Odion, Mike Awoyinfa, Bayo Onanuga, Femi Ojodu, Dele Alake, our esteem Minister walked, to mention just a few of the word-craftsmiths who mentored me.

This piece is not about Lagos and my attachment to the bubbling city. It is neither about my good old days at the Concord Press. Rather, it is about the craze called driving against traffic popularly referred to as, ‘one -way’ driving. Lagos is one state that is confronting the challenge head-on dolling out rules and traffic regulations to deal with deviants. For those in Lagos, I am sure you are familiar with Lagos where the penalty for such acts under the State Transport Law, 2018 is forfeiture of vehicle as there is no fine for this infraction.

My dear readers, I know I love this job. I love saving lives. The one that elates me most is raising awareness. Whether it is on my favorite Radio Platform, called, Oga Driver, or addressing various publics. I find the most fulfilment when I do so and even heaven bears me witness. Since leaving the media where my mentors such as Tunji Bello, Sam Omatseye taught me the ropes, I have not failed in deploying the skills learnt to enhance my assigned vocation.

Having done this job for decades, I am daily disturbed by some mannerisms that expose road users to unnecessary risks. I have chosen to focus on one of such risks which recently. Let me start with the fatal crash that occurred on 5th Feb 2024 at about 211hrs along the Ilesa-Ife Road at Ijana Wasare involving two vehicles; Toyota previa and a Toyota Hiace bus.

Reports filed in from Osun State said the crash was multiple head on collision that resulted in the death of sixteen people, who were all male while five sustained injuries out of the total of twenty-one people involved. Further inquiries revealed that the crash was caused by route violation and overloading. On the same Ilesa -Ife Road on the 6th of February, another crash caused by route violation claimed 15 lives.

One way of driving is dangerous and risky driving. In many climes, it could be displayed as “Wrong Way” signs at freeway off-ramps to discourage wrong-way driving. Sometimes, they are combined on freeway off-ramps with “Do Not Enter” and “One Way” signs. For now, I would not bore you with details of fatalities caused by this crazy driving in various climes but rather would stay on the fact that one way driving, driving against traffic, or wrong-way driving (WWD) also known as contraflow driving, is the act of driving a vehicle against the direction of traffic. 

This can occur on either one- or two-way roads, as well as in parking lots and parking garages. There are several reasons for this risky driving behavior. It may be as a result of drive inattention, or impairment, or maybe because of inadequate or confusing [JI1] road markings or signages. It may also be a case where a driver from a right-hand traffic country is unaccustomed to a left hand traffic country such as a driver from Nigeria in the United Kingdom. 

In the case of our clime, it is sheer irresponsible driving or what my friend calls, “ego tripping”. I am talking about the ‘do you know who I am’ drivers. This is common with people in uniform, escorts or politicians and the few who tag themselves, “untouchables.” In other cases, it could be youngsters who intentionally drive because they are in a hurry or they missed their turn or exit. 

For the records it is dangerous to indulge in this driving behavior especially on divided highways especially like the case of the two crashes that occurred on the Ilesha-Ife road in Osun State caused by driving against traffic which resulted in a collision and the death of 31 people.

I earlier cited the fatal crash which claimed thirty-one lives in Osun State. There are other collisions caused by this driving behavior. In a place like the United States of America, driving against traffic claims almost 355 lives yearly.

So, what punishment awaits defaulters? First, this infraction is a punishable one no matter the clime. I earlier cited the case of Lagos State in Nigeria where it is forfeiture and no option of fines. In the case of New Zealand, it is regarded as careless driving and you stand the risk of a five years imprisonment and or a huge fine. I read that in a country like the United Kingdom, you could be charged for ‘driving without due care and attention ‘with a likely fine of a hundred pounds and 3 points on your driving license. I also learned that depending on the severity of the damage caused, it might end up as a court matter where you could end up with a fine of two thousand and five hundred pounds.

In a clime such as the United States of America, the consequences are too numerous and I would treat them bit by bit by looking at the legal and safety concerns. Just like I cited earlier in the case of Lagos state and the UK, one way driving is a traffic offence also in the US. It can result in citation, fine and points on your driver’s license and even ultimate suspension or revocation of your license. 

It is common knowledge that such dangerous driving increases the risk of a road traffic crash and ultimate fatality like we cited earlier especially because such drivers are rarely sane drivers; they are usually speed freaks. The implication of a criminal charge is a possibility. In this case, if the driving results in a crash and injury, the consequences could include fines, imprisonment like in the case of the UK as well as a criminal record. 

There is also criminal liability in the case where the driver caused an accident or injury which can result in the following.The first is financial consequences such as payment of medical bills, lost wages and other damages. It can also result in increased insurance rates because insurance companies view this as a serious violation and may lead to you being tagged a high-risk driver.

Earlier, I spoke about driver’s license suspension which the FRSC is working on as a joker that would tame bad driving behavior. In FRSC, we call it the penalty point system or better still suspension or revocation of license. Where this occurs, your ability to get to work, school can be hampered in addition to other long-term consequences in a society where the drivers license is seen as your ticket to heaven.