MINIMISING ROAD ACCIDENTS

Of the four forms of Transportation: (air,water,road,and rail) ,road transportation is the most dreaded in the third world countries.In Nigeria for instance,road accidents occur almost every second.Reporting of road accidents by journalists is no longer news,what is news is( when,) after some hours, no accident occur.Not long ago,a driver who loaded to Kano State with over fourteen ( 14) passengers from Gboko had a head on collision with another vehicle killing all the passengers including the driver.The funny thing about the accident was,from gboko to kano is about 800 Kilometers and the driver was yet to do even 5 kilometers before the accident occurred.After the driver was taken to the hospital after he died, hospital officials discovered charms tied around his waist. Such occurences are routine.Most drivers dont believe in the i vehicle's speedometer, or the condition of their vehicle or tyres.they believe in the power of their charms.The question is "what can be done". In Tiv area of Benue State,there is this misconception that 'no body just died unless your people cause it'.Most drivers aware of this drive recklessly with the believe that their people at home are behind him and so nothing will be happen to him no matter his speed.Government agencies like Road Safety,VIO,the Police have not helped matters.They have formed the habit of collecting 20 naira only from motorists and allowing them to pass. It is suprising to see a vehicle that is supposed to carry 6 passengers, carrying over 12 passengers,when he approaches a checking point,the police will only ask of money for their "pure water".Road accident is claiming millions of innocent lives everyday and the Government should mount an intensive enlightenment campaign to educate drivers,Government officials involved in sharp practices on the road should also be shown the way out.Enough is Enough of this waste.