Safety Relies on Defensive Driving and Robust Road Infrastructure, Say Experts

Safety experts have emphasized that the combination of defensive driving skills and a well-maintained road network plays a crucial role in reducing road traffic accidents (RTCs).

These insights were shared during the Africa’s Road Safety Project 52 training event for volunteers in Lagos, where stakeholders gathered to discuss ways to enhance road safety and security.

Participants at the event also called upon law enforcement agencies, such as the police and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), to enforce discipline on the highways to further improve safety and save lives.

Ijeoma Ezeasor, a council member of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) for Anambra, Enugu, and Ebonyi State Branch, stressed that road safety is a shared responsibility that requires collective efforts from all stakeholders.

Tony Arenyeka, Managing Director of Truckmasters Nigeria, reiterated the shared responsibility for road safety. He pointed out that while the government is responsible for constructing and maintaining roads, drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists also have a vital role in ensuring safe road usage.

Dr. Oseme Oigiagbe, the Special Guest Speaker, discussed defensive driving techniques and highlighted how they enable drivers to identify and avoid potential road hazards, ultimately saving lives, time, and money. He encouraged all motorists to adopt these skills to reduce road traffic accidents.

Other speakers at the event, including Adebola Kolawole, the Chief Guest Chairperson of the Red Cross Society of Nigeria, Lagos branch, reiterated the importance of shared responsibility for road safety.

In response to the growing need for advocacy and community involvement, Julie Chi-Nwaoha, the Founder of On the Highway Africa, introduced her Road Safety Project 52. This initiative aims to strengthen road safety by enlisting volunteers to support the efforts of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). Chi-Nwaoha emphasized that road safety is a collective concern, calling on volunteers to assist the FRSC in achieving its mandate of reducing RTCs and creating a safer driving environment.

She also highlighted the alarming statistics, noting that road traffic injuries claim more lives annually than malaria, making road safety a matter of utmost importance for all.