RECKLESS DRIVING

Reckless driving has been a major traffic problem on many Nigerian roads, accentuated by indiscriminate parking of vehicles on the roads, which most times lead to traffic jams and accidents.
In today's news analysis correspondent writes on the dangers of reckless driving and indiscriminate parking of vehicles on motor roads.
Traffic regulation is done through traffic lights, safety rules and regulations towards ensuring sanity on our roads and also to ease vehicular movement and reduce road accidents and death.
To achieve this, the Federal and State Governments set up various roads safety agencies such as the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, the Vehicle Inspection Office, VIO, the Traffic Department of The Nigerian Police, the Delta State Traffic Management Authority, DESTMA and its counterpart in Lagos State, LASTMA.
In spite of these efforts, most Nigeria motorists have continued to drive recklessly on our highways.
Reckless driving and indiscriminate parking of vehicles are major traffic violations, a display of carelessness and lack of concern for others road users, as evidenced by over speeding, heavy gridlock and sometimes accidents.
Bad driving habits can also be attributed to failed portions on our roads as drivers try to avoid them by maneuvering their ways, using the better parts of the road as it is seen in most bad roads in Warri, Sapele, Asaba among others major Cities.
In addition, reckless driving are caused by impatience on the parts of drivers and when they are trying to avoid failed portions on our roads.
The situation is even worse when broken down vehicles are abandoned on the roads, while some vehicles are indiscriminately parked on very busy roads, thereby causing traffic chaos.
Statistics have shown that most of the road accidents in Nigeria are traceable to reckless driving and indiscriminate parking of vehicles.
However bad roads should not be used as an excuse for lawlessness on the roads, as motorists are expected to adhere to simple driving rules and obey highway codes with a high sense of maturity when plying the roads.
Traffic offenders should be punished while relevant government authorities should rehabilitate bad roads and also put measures in place to control over speeding on our roads.
Furthermore, Nigeria drivers should endeavor to install speed limit device in their vehicles.
The habits of making calls while driving should be discouraged and the culture of using the seat belts should be encouraged.
Motorists should be educated and enlightened on the dangers of reckless driving through regular seminars in motor parks and also through radio and television jingles.
If you think road safety is too hard to adhere to, then try accidents.