BEING A ROAD SAFETY WATCHDOG. A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

BEING A ROAD SAFETY WATCHDOG

The end of the year is a time that bring families and friends together. There are events all over the city and everybody seems to be in a hurry to get here and there.

It is also at this time that people ignore safety on the roads and take things into their own hands. At this time, there are vehicles everywhere, kids running around the streets with little or no supervision, motorist and cyclist riding around with no protective gears.

It is at this time that precious lives are lost because we take the little things for granted. In this article, we will take a look at a typical daily scenario, which involves all road users which include the driver, passenger, pedestrian and the motorcyclist. How the role of each of them affect the other and how all of them can act as a watch dog to the other so that lives can be preserved.

Scenario

Driver Nartey, a young energetic, taxi cab driver who is listening to a song by S3ky3rewa on radio picks up a passenger, Nana Adjoa on campus, whose destination is the central business district, to buy stuff for the Christmas festivities.

On their way, he had a call from one of his loyal clients, Mama Dzigbordi, who asked him to pick her up within the next 10 minutes. In his quest to be there in time, he over speeds to get there early. Ahead of him is a descending road with a pedestrian crossing which leads to the central business district with little traffic.

At the pedestrian crossing is Grandma Mary with her grandchildren and Della who is busily talking on the phone with her friend. All of them are trying to cross the road to the other side. At the same time, there is Edward and his sister Akesi riding on a motorbike, with no protective gear weaving their way through the traffic to get home in time so that they can make it for the family dinner.

We are going to take a look at the scenario above, the role of each road user, dangers posed and how they can help each other road user to stay safe.

The driver (Mr. Nartey)

It is said that for most road accidents, it falls on the shoulders of the one in control of the steering wheel. He is responsible for the safety of the passengers in the vehicle, himself and to some extent the pedestrians.

In the above scenario, Mr. Nartey, who is responsible for the safety of the passenger, Nana Adjoa, failed to instruct her to put on the seat belt.

Secondly, receiving a phone call whiles driving puts himself, the passenger and other road users in danger. As a result of the phone call, he over speeds to make it in time to her client Mama Dzigbordi so as not to lose revenue. He places his financial gain ahead of the human lives.

Young drivers are often said to find motorist and pedestrians disturbing and have no empathy on them especially the vulnerable ones, because they assume them to be as active as themselves. There is a high chance of him knocking down Grandma Mary, her children and Della who is busily talking on the phone.

 There is another chance of him also knocking down Edward and his sister Akesi on the motorbike who weaving their way through the traffic because he will not have the patience and time to look around for dangers.

The passenger (Nana Adjoa)

Even though the driver is responsible for the safety of a passenger, the passenger should also be responsible for his or own safety.

Nana Adjoa failed to put on the seat belt when she got into the vehicle. Also, she should have alerted the driver in a decent way when he was talking on the phone, so that he does not endanger their lives.

Moreover, she should have done likewise when the driver was over speeding and remind him of the dangers around. As a passenger, you should act as a second driver.

The pedestrians (Grandma Mary, grandchildren and Della)

Pedestrians are considered the most vulnerable road users. This is because they have no “protective shell” as in the frame of a vehicle. The elderly and children are high on that list because their body strength is on the low and the children are very hyperactive at this stage. Drivers should exercise patience when they see search road users on our roads.

Della, the other road user, who is busily talking on phone whiles wanting to cross the road puts herself in danger. Even though she is using the pedestrian crossing, she should be attentive enough to look out for dangers around her before she crosses the road. The human life is precious and we should not let technology be an enemy. Also, she could have provided a helping hand for Grandma Mary with the kids to cross the road safely.

Motorcyclist (Edward and Akesi)

Motorcyclist, most of the time feel above the law. They use which ever route or means available to get to their destination irrespective of the safety implications.

In this scenario, both Edward and Akesi are not wearing crash helmet to protect them in case of any eventuality. Moreover, they are not using the approved lane for motorcyclist but rather weaving their way through the traffic. There is a high chance of them getting knocked down by driver Nartey who is in a hurry to make it to his client or knocking down the other road users who are crossing the road using the pedestrian crossing i.e. Grandma Mary, the children and Della.

Conclusion

Road safety and for that matter safety as is a shared responsibility for all road users and we should not think that others will do it on our behalf.

Let us all be road safety ambassadors and watchdogs during this season and all year-long to protect lives and property.

Stay safe.

About the Author

Edmond Nana Cabir Flynt is a vehicle sales advisor and consultant based in Takoradi - Ghana. He is also a volunteer, an entrepreneur, and an auto show radio presenter.

For further enquiry, consultation, advertisement, product promotion (vehicle related), vehicle and accessory sale, contact him on the following numbers +233(0)209461930 /+233(0)548383591 and email nanaflynt@gmail.com