But
the carelessness and aloofness with which some pedestrians use the roads is
something worth discussing also.
The
statistics as a result of road accidents and killings is gruesome. The scale of
blame tilts mostly towards the drivers and less towards the pedestrian(s). But,
these road safety campaigners sometimes forget that the road user is as
culpable in causing accidents in same measure as the guy behind the wheels.
This
isn’t the reason for this post. My major concern has to do with the strange
happenings on our roads, reference to the route I ply back and forth, each day.
On
the route I ply each day, I witness with grave apprehension the aloofness with
which pedestrians use the road. It appears these pedestrians expect the driver
of the car, who has a right to the road, to either stop for them to cross (yes
a driver is expected to do so at zebra crossings or as a favour) or wait on
them to take all the time in the world to cross the road (very irritating).
Some
also cross without care at traffic lights when the light is green, expecting
the driver to pull his breaks upon seeing them. Then there are those who block
roads to host ‘festive’ gatherings without recourse to notification.
The
situation is vivid at traffic intersections where pedestrians cross without
heeding to traffic signals. The beam will be green yet you’ll find people
crossing and woe betides you if you complain or honk on them. Some of these persons even have the audacity
to look the driver in the eye and spew very unprintable words on him/her as if
the person has committed the gravest crime ever recorded in the annals of time.
Accidents
occur even when one is cautious. That is, one can’t predict the occurrence of
an accident. Of course, some of our behaviours do put us in a precarious
position to get injured or killed.
Vehicles,
like any man made machine, are prone to faults. So a car might have a brake
failure whiles in motion. And imagine a pedestrian ‘swagging’ on the road; the
consequences won’t be a pretty one.
As
people we must recognize how important life is. You may survive an accident but
your may never recover from its effect. Road users must also note that they are
as responsible in ensuring good road safety measures as the driver of a car.
As
for the okada drivers and their comportment on the road it makes sense when you
hear some road safety advocates call for its ban. They are as reckless and
sometimes stupid in their driving as the adjectives used.
Life
is precious. And we should all be a little cautious when using the
road. Such unnecessary deaths/accidents
can be reduced drastically if we exercise a bit of caution. A word to the wise…
When I was living in Ghana, I was floored by the amount of accidents I would see. I was also in quite a few (minor) accidents. Not that they don't happen in the US. but there seems to be a lack of enforcement. Sadly, had an acquaintance in Ghana die by a hit and run driver while on his bike. I wish people would live by the saying "when you drive, your also driving for everyone else." Be careful out there.
ReplyDeleteI have a policy of not walking on the road with my back facing an on-coming vehicle. I always stop and wait for the vehicle to pass.
ReplyDeleteAs you've pointed out, the laws are not enforced so people take things for granted. As for hit-and-runs, they occur a lot here. Unfortunately
Interesting, especially if you look at it from the pedestrian's view. I've seen people crossing the motorway like cars don't kill. But I blame proper education on both sides, driver and pedestrian.
ReplyDeleteThe driver has a legal right to the road just as the pedestrian, but pedestrians are more vulnerable. Some drivers expect you to beg before they let you cross and when they do, they expect a thanksgiving sacrifice from you. I have nine lives so I cross the road the way I like.
ReplyDeleteLot's of the accidents on the road are avoidable. If only pedestrians and drivers would obey regulation.
ReplyDeleteWhen i was in primary school, once a kid stood next to a Zebra Crossing, drivers would stop to allow him to cross. Now they don't even care. I witnessed a vehicle knock down a lady at the Accra Mall Zebra crossing. If not for vigilant bystanders, the driver would have run away. Thankfully the lady didn't sustain major injuries, just a few bruises
ReplyDeleteThis is very useful to me...
Car Accidents
We all have to be careful and responsible
DeleteSome people take risks. Like getting into a car with someone you know is drunk and you let the person drive. A friend is currently paralyzed from the shoulder down, and she's not even conscious yet to realise she will be able to move only her neck from henceforth. so far, after weeks of being unconscious, she has only smiled.:( Road accidents are just...hmmm
ReplyDeleteA very tragic situation. Wish her all the best. Certain risks are definitely not worth it
DeleteThough sad, I also think that this has been the reality of our roads for the past years. If people, pedestrians and motorists alike, would be a little more disciplined and respectful to each other, the number of road accidents would greatly decrease. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?
ReplyDeleteThe Zalkin Law Firm, P.C.
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