A Need For Attitude And Behavioural Change On Lagos Roads -By Adeniran Gbogboade Ademola

Adeniran Gbogboade Ademola

Lagos is the most populated city in Nigeria. Comfortably the economic and social capital of the nation, Lagos is notorious for its worrisome traffic situations. Whether driving through the highbrow areas of Victoria Island and Lekki or walking the streets of Mushin and Oshodi, one cannot but notice the chaotic traffic situations. Everyone has the right to travel on the road safely; whether by car, motorcycle or on foot. To some, driving on and using Lagos roads have distinct rules one must follow to successfully navigate Lagos. Yet, there is a set of road users whose safety is often called to question when using the road.

Matched with other road users, vulnerable individuals; the pedestrians, the motorcyclists and the hawkers on Lagos roads are basically exposed to harm as they are not protected by the safety of being in a vehicle. When using the road, obeying simple safety rules is a function of mood and attitude for every road user in Lagos. For the pedestrian and the okada riders, using the shortest route means not using pedestrian bridges and the right routes respectively. For the hawker, the quest to make a living far outweighs the need for survival. When on familiar routes, there is the tendency to pay less thoughtfulness to traffic than unacquainted surroundings forgetting that anywhere there is a potential for moving vehicles, there is a possible traffic situation. And for the drivers, regard for traffic light is a function of if an officer of the law is around or not especially for the public transporters.

Without doubt, there is a need to understand why it is getting harder and more difficult to make people obey simple traffic regulations. The fear of being fined far outweighs the need to play safe on our highways. Deaths, accidents and total disregard for traffic regulations is a daily occurrence on Lagos road. The carnage and blatant disregard for road safety needs attitudinal and behavioural change

Understanding the psychology behind why people behave the way they do on our highways will play a big role in effective road management. Greater public awareness, road safety advocacy and stronger law enforcement are required to strengthen road safety. What is happening in Lagos is not just a disregard for road regulations; it has a lot to do with ignorance – people lacking understanding of the basics of road safety. We have allowed a culture of disregard and bad habits on our highways and for so long, this has become acceptable. Understanding the attitude behind our road use is not just about law enforcement change, it is a need about a cultural change within the road user community. The rules are for all road users – pedestrian, drivers, motorcyclists and everybody using the roads. Obeying traffic laws in Lagos will take time. Regard for traffic laws will have its roots in our society when we understand that the behaviour of road users is often based on three motives: planned behaviour; emotional behaviour and habitual behaviour. Other factors involved in the causality of road accidents include our faulty decision making, distraction, drugs and alcohol, driving training and experience, familiarity with vehicle and environment, inattention, perception – reaction time, stress, panic and risky behaviours.

Helping the vulnerable on our roads is a collective act. As road users, we must understand that we will encounter different others on the road. Whenever and wherever we drive, having patience and giving time and room for other road users is essential. One must be ready and alert for others to make mistakes. Pedestrians and motorcyclists are sometimes hard to see, especially children. Children specifically are unable to cope with sudden changes in traffic conditions.

It is the responsibility of the society and government to create awareness of vulnerability for non – motorized road users. This is important for people’s safety because they can appropriately respond to dangers only when they are properly aware of them. Government, parents and caregivers have a key role to play in making our roads safe. Discussing road safety is an idea that must be developed with our kids and the less vulnerable road users in our society right from childhood.

Most importantly to the drivers, remember you were a pedestrian before – meaning you were once and will always be vulnerable either way. Your speed can literally make the difference between life and death. Driving is skill that requires lifelong learning and association with our roads.

Lastly and as often said, accidents between pedestrians/hawkers, motorcyclists  and a motor vehicle will more than not be the fault of the pedestrian in as much as the society prioritizes vehicular traffic over foot – travelers and place the burden of collision on the vulnerable road user.

Adeniran Gbogboade Ademola is a Psychologist. He tweets @adex405 and can be contacted via email: adex405@yahoo.com