The Role of a Passenger For a Safe Journey

It is inevitable that whether you are vehicle owner or pedestrian, you would have shared a vehicle space with one or two persons. Throughout the journey to your destination, it is the responsibility of the driver behind the wheels to make sure that you get there safely.

The major cause for on roads vehicular accidents are by human factors. Have we considered the part passengers need to play for a safe trip?

In this article, we take a look at how passengers can contribute to safe trips and by extension the safety on our roads.

1.       Third eye of the driver

Any time I hop into a taxi, mini bus (trotro) or a friend’s car, I consider myself as a half driver like a car racing team because I know how it feels to be behind that wheel.

A driver needs all of his/her senses when he/she is behind the wheel. Imagine having a bad day and having to drive home stressed. Your mind will not be operating at 100 percent and that is where the other person i.e. the passengers in the vehicle can act as the third eye on your journey. No matter the level of technology of a vehicle has, I believe it cannot beat the senses of a human.

Fellow passengers should look out for the following

·         Vehicles coming through the curves on the driver’s blind sides.

·         Road signs issuing specific instructions at special areas.

·         Pedestrians and other road users who may pose a danger.

As the saying goes, two good heads are better than one.

2.       Law enforcers

Naturally, every human wants to do things their way at any time. There are times where drivers would like to take the law into their own hands, break some of the rules on the road to get to their destinations quickly or escape a traffic.

It may include crossing the red light at the traffic, talking on phone while driving or using an illegal U-turn. This is where the passenger becomes the law enforcer on the bus to make sure that the driver obeys the law at any given time. Irrespective of how early you want to arrive at your destination, nothing is more important than your safety and life.

Insist on the driver to do the right things on the road devoid of insult.

3.       Distraction

One morning I was on my way to work, driving, I wanted to get to the office earlier because lateness was right at my tail. There was this car in front with two occupants, a young couple moving at a snail pace whiles there was a lot of space in front of him. Initial I assumed the car has developed a fault that was why it was moving at that pace. I moved closer to it to pay more attention to what was happening to them. To my surprise and fury, the young couple were having a conversation with the lady robbing her hand on her husband’s hand forgetting that they were on the road. Immediately I honked the horn, they realized that they were not sitting on a lover’s bench and had to move faster. In this cars, the woman was being a distraction to the husband which could lead to serious issue.

I have been in commercial vehicles mini buses or taxi where the passengers have engaged in a conversation with the driver, which has no importance with the driver having a divided attention. I have also witnessed situations where drivers and passengers are engaged in a heated word exchange forgetting that the driver has the lives of other passengers in his hand at that point in time.

Let us desist from being a distraction to the person behind the wheel driving is a very complex activity.

4.       Brother’s keeper

I have been in a bus, travelling where people who are alone on the bus have been in a very dire situation, be it sickness, need of attention etc. but no one to help them out. Our societies have now become more individualistic that we think only of yourself and no one else.

Look out for the safety and well-being of others in the bus, taxi or whatever you find yourself in on your journey to your destiny. You could be of help to what someone needs.

One time I could not find the seat adjuster on a bus, I was seriously fidgeting and the person by me was affected by my discomfort. He asked me my problem, I told him and he helped me out. Imagine him not helping me out, whiles I fidget all the way through our journey. He will be affected as well.

Let us observe these points when we find ourselves in the passenger seat to make out journey safe and enjoyable.

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

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 Editor

Matthew Odoom Ntsiful - He has moonlighted as an editor since his undergraduate days at University of Ghana, where he edited papers for fellow students. He recently made a career decision to become a full time freelance editor and writer. He doubles as a Sales and Marketing consultant with concentration on Digital Marketing.