'Traffic Control Is Important To Security’'Traffic Control Is Important To Security’
Traffic control and management, no doubt is an integral aspect of security, regardless of the fact that many don't see it so. However, in this interview, CSP Tunji Akingbola, the officer-in-charge of Lagos State Traffic Division (STD) reveals the facts behind the figures of traffic accidents and traffic grid-lock our highways. SEUN JOSEPH brings the excerpts to you.
What are the main causes of road traffic accidents?
Road traffic accidents are mainly caused by human beings. Though, I understand that some accuse demons but we must look at the problem from many angles. A demon cannot act in isolation, it needs a man to go through. A driver who is in the habit of smoking hemp and drinking alcohol is definitely going through demonic problems.
However, the problems are multi-various and diverse. Bad roads and bad road networks of most of our roads coupled with the blocking of access roads by traders are problems contributing to road accidents. Community Development Associations (CDA) and drivers who drop or pick passengers on the road are some of the reasons for accidents on our roads. For example, a place like Ejigbo has endemic problems and it's been like that for years without anybody doing anything to it.
You can imagine the relative ease which an alternative route to places like Ejigbo will bring to the residents of these areas. No matter the number of men on the road, they can't do anything meaningful in the area of traffic control.
How effective is the enforcement of traffic rules by government?
We are handicap because of the absence of data base of drivers and vehicles in the country. We resort to impounding vehicles when drivers contravene traffic laws which is not so good.
Meanwhile, in other countries, you don't have to impound vehicles because there is no space to park them. A database will solve a lot of problems. Though we will surely get there but we need the will to do it.
Obviously, the traffic wardens are trying their best but why is it that we still have gridlock hold-ups?
There is a limit to the use of human beings, policemen are on the roads everyday but it seems as if we are not trying enough. It is high time we started using technology to regulate traffic. There are many places where you just install well-programme (solar-powered) traffic lights and things will move on well. Like the road that heads to the Airport, installing traffic light at strategic corners will go a long way in easing the problems of traffic hold-up.
Don't forget that if we mount traffic lights, some people will still go there to vandalise them. Our attitude and behaviour are too backward. We should change our bad attitudes.
How effective are other agencies in terms of traffic control and regulation?
It's just so bad that the role of the police has been relegated to the background over the years. Though each state has set up it's own security apparatus but no sooner than later you will discover that they are worse than the police. You can't have an A1 administration under an F9 government. Look at the level of recruitment in these agencies. Area Boys are recruited among some of them and the only thing they do is look for vehicles that will contravene traffic rules so as to collect money from them.
Any how, there should be a good collaboration among all security apparatus. We should develop one another by complementing ourselves.
What can we do to reduce okada accidents on our roads?
We need to ban okadas in major roads, we should not allow them to ply some roads. Likewise, we must regulate their activities closely. At least we record six okada related deaths everyday while casualty from articulated vehicles are between 10-20 every month. To reduce accidents on our roads generally we must check unlicensed and inexperienced drivers.
Many of them drive dangerously without minding other drivers on the road. Also, we must discourage the packing of vehicles on major roads. Some tenants have two cars while their landlords have none. Kogberegbe area of Lagos is a good example, you just see people parking indiscriminately on both sides of the road and when you tell them they will start quoting law for you. There is an urgent need to regulate commercial drivers. Everybody wants to ride okada or buses whether trained or not.
Tanker drivers are now a menace to everybody, the government and all of us. Arrest one of them and the others in solidarity will block the road as a way of protesting. We need proper law enforcement to advance as a nation. America can't be where it is today without adequate enforcement of laws.
What's your opinion on our over dependence on land transportation in an emerging mega city like Lagos?
Integrated transportation is the only solution to this kind of problem we are in. Land, air, rail and water transportation is the way out. We can depend on ferries to transport people around.
From Apapa you can't link Festac on lagoon and from Festac to Badagry or Lekki and you have less people on the road. Look at the train system, it seems as if it's a calculated attempt to ground it. Trains are called Mass-movers. Most market women struggling to board buses can now move in train if it is very regular.
Lets assume that you can afford to see train every 20 minutes at each bus-stop, people will stop depending on buses. I believe the Lagos State BRT was meant to operate like that but it is not meeting up due to so many reasons.
What are the solutions out of these mess?
Our level of public awareness is very poor and that is why we have a high level of contravention. Our orientation as a nation is also too poor. You will even see people who are aware of traffic rules yet they still break them. We need to go back to the basis. Put them in classroom and let them go for psychiatric test as the Lagos State government is planning.
As a licensed driver in other countries like Ontario, you are expected to sit for written and application tests before you can get a driver's license. In other countrie, you don't need a culvert to divide the roads, all you need is a yellow line.
A yellow line represent a blockage and woe betide any driver if you cross it. Even a patrol vehicle can't cross a yellow line. You must have been taught from school that you must never cross a yellow line. It's a very serious infraction. That means you can kill somebody if you can cross a yellow line.
How would you assess the activities of NURTW and RTEAN?
NURTW members have turned themselves to tiny gods that must be worshipped. The two organisations now wear uniforms and they expect drivers to pay money at every bus-stop. These people now see violence as part of their lives. Before you know what is happening, they will just bring out guns to fight, very soon they will be brining out Bazookas to fight. Our youths now see touts as role models because of the way they get and spend money.
Many see touting as a good cash-cow and they will dump their trade and start touting on the road. Their activities must be well regulated and it takes a strong will to do that. Though, we accept the fact that the level of unemployed is too high, not only here but in every part of the world. I know a place where all their youths are now motorcyclist and I warned them to watch it because that place is known for intellectualism and scholarship in those days.
Is there any collaboration between the police and other agencies like FRSC and LASTMA?
All other agencies complement the effort of the police. FRSC has always been the baby of the police . I believe they are trying their best. It's just a matter of mutual respect and not competition. Even LASTMA also help in traffic control and everything still boils down to policing. Though, once in a while, we have minor skirmishes here and there but we all work hand in hand.
However, am afraid of the proliferation of these agencies, it may lead to loss of lives because our young ones recruited into these agencies can muster self-control and courage to show maturity. Though some of them still want to catch the glare of the public so that people can say that they are working hard.
In essence, you mean you support drivers taking tests before they can renew or get licenses?
Yes, we must go back to the basics. Drivers must be compelled to sit for exams before issuing them licenses. Do you think anyone who breaks traffic law is normal? In abroad, you will never be permitted to drive again because it's a grave offence. A single infraction can result into twenty deaths of innocent people.
How can the private sector contribute to traffic control and management?
They can be involved in public enlightenment and workshops. A conglomerate producing items valuable to traffic like Dunlop which produces tyres can help the police. WAHUM is the only company that is assisting us by providing communication gadgets. Private sectors can provide tow trucks, power motorcyclists which can help us to move faster to the scene of an accident.
What's your advice to drivers especially commercial drivers?
Drivers should learn to be cautious and respect all other road users. We need to be patient and careful in all we do so as not to endanger other people's lives.
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