Traffic lights & flyovers

THE URGENT NEED FOR TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND FLYOVERS ON OUR ROADS

Decently created and beautified. Spiced with worthwhile endowments, coupled with wholesome idiosyncrasies. If only she would understand the true meaning of safety. No, she does. But, the conundrum remains the lack of holistic sensitivity of her political frontrunners. Despite the persistent anticipation by her subjects at every given interregnum, the emergence of the subsequent victor still produces atmosphere that appears frivolous. Honestly, her subjects have been popularly known as people who inure themselves to tragedy due to lack of sufficient existence of the aforementioned tools, traffic lights and flyovers, and other consequential facilities. In spite of the declamatory and repetitive critique so far on the case study in question, our virgin roads still appear abandoned thereby keeping most of the vehicles in abeyance. What about the drivers and the innocent passengers that had been crippled or rendered useless while many had embraced the forbidden six-feet due to the consequence of the above leakage?

A ruthless and utterly abhorrent system. A system where the interest of the masses appears to be at the bottom line. A system where billions of naira owned by the entire citizenry are being siphoned into a personal wallet. A system where only few benefits from the national cake. Still, the deceitful elements or so-called nationalists appear as advocates of unity. Though, some are interested and ready to embrace abnegation, but, influence remains a forsaken cankerworm. Brethren, hour of deliverance! And, nobody would be exempted, including me. Yes, we all must be delivered. Believe me, it’s a fact. A fancy fact. Lest I forget, we still have an enormous task ahead of us in this edition. Let’s ride on.

Traffic lights and flyovers are means through which traffic problems are restricted or avoided. In other words, they are instruments that are used to fight traffic crimes or aberrations on the roads which they are situated. Traffic lights are usually found either on cross junctions or T-junctions, while flyovers are mainly found on cross junctions. The latter enables vehicle users to operate both on and above the road because it’s a structure which carries one road above another, while the former, as a programmed digital instrument, instructs vehicle users on when to pass in, or cross to a particular direction.

Thus, lack of the above devices contributes immensely to an increase in traffic congestion on our roads. For instance, a driver of a certain vehicle may decide to cross a junction without considering traffic rules and regulations because of the absence of a traffic light on the junction in question. This would result to motor accident due to collision because the driver of another vehicle coming from the adjacent side of the junction may or would like to cross the junction without minding the presence of other vehicles. In this case, every driver becomes a traffic determinant. For years, the manual/human traffic control system had been in use. But, this is ancient and insufficient. I bet you, the human traffic system wouldn’t be enough/ efficient to control the traffic or maintain the traffic regulations. Even at that, let’s save our human resources from the ongoing state of fathomless stress. This and more traffic problems are experienced or encountered on our roads on daily basis.

However, having stated the above traffic problems or contingencies, you will agree with me that, if the rate and major causes of motor accidents is/are to be noted or considered by the government, the lack of traffic lights and flyovers would be given as the only answer.

Traffic lights and flyovers should be situated on various junctions in all the towns/cities in Nigeria, including the federal roads. If traffic lights are installed on the various junctions, the vehicles will cross as at when due. Also, construction of flyovers would enable vehicles coming from two sides of a cross junction to move on top of the road, while others would move on the normal axis, the ground level thereby paving ways for the pedestrians. In some cases or areas, people on foot are being asked to walk on the flyover while the vehicles would use the normal road level, as the case may be. Thus, massive introduction of both devices will surely ease traffic congestion on our roads.

On the other hand, the governments should ensure that, the dilapidated ones on our various roads are totally revived for the sake of humanity. Most of the traffic lights on the roads, likewise the flyovers, are just there as monumentary equipment/structures. They ought to be revived; our roads should not be left naked or being abandoned. We shouldn’t forget that, this problem directly affects every occupant of the country. We should continue to say no to ignorance because it’s a deadly disease. Take for instance, the ‘Almighty’ Niger bridge is dying gradually and fast approaching the forbidden six-feet. Should we allow the old man die like a mere ant. Isn’t it disgusting? Yes, it’s jaundiced!

The residents of some areas in Nigeria where traffic lights and/or flyovers are intensely recognized experience non/less traffic problems. Therefore, both the federal and state governments should kindly include this project in their respective budgets/agendas to ensure that their respective areas are free from traffic imbroglios.

The implementation of the above measure will drastically improve traffic rules and regulations thereby reducing the level of incessant traffic congestion on our roads. The government should therefore take a tangible step to see that this project is actualized. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) ought to be an advocate of this crusade.

Creating an organized and beautified nation should be our watchword. Our society should be deeply imbued with it’s occupants’ desires.



COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com