CHRISTOPHER ODAMAH,
ONE of the common features of the road construction and rehabilitation efforts of the present Delta State government especially in the Warri South Local Government Area is the introduction of road signs, including zebra crossings to aid the flow of both vehicular and human traffics.
Many people, especially pedestrians regarded the zebra crossings as a welcome development since their presence would afford them the opportunity of crossing traffic-busy roads easily and safely too.
For them, the importance of the zebra crossing cannot be over-emphasised, especially on traffic-busy roads without pedestrian bridges while drawing the attention of the Delta State Government to expedite action on making zebra crossing along the ever busy Warri Sapele Road, particularly the pupils of Igbudu Primary School opposite Delta Line Transport Service in the oil-rich city of Warri.
However, it appears that the joy of having these zebra crossings in place is already fading even before the culture of using them can take root. This is due to the now obvious flagrant disobedience of Zebra Crossing signs by most motorists in Warri
Investigations by our roving man revealed that on approaching a Zebra Crossing, most motorists are so impatient that they zoom past at a dangerous speed with scant regard for pedestrians who may be passing by at that point in time.
In fact, most pedestrians now dread using zebra crossings since they have come to the realisation that only very few motorists agree to slow down or stop on approaching one.
This situation, some observers attribute to ignorance on the part of most motorists who it is believed do not understand what this sign stands for on our roads.
According to Pa Onos, a cab driver: “Most motorists don’t obey the signs and I don’t think most of these people parading themselves as drivers know the meaning of the sign; how would they know? The driving licences which are supposed to be collected after series of driving tests, including the ability to identify and know functions of road signs, are brought to them right in their bedroom.
President, Delta Youth Council, Comrade Festus Ofagbe was also of the view that motorists do not usually obey the Zebra crossing.
He said: “Having a driving licence does not mean you are a good driver.” Most of the time, pedestrians usually wait endlessly expecting motorists to show some level of understanding of the sign. Although I am not aware of any law against motorist who purportedly fail to stop for waiting pedestrians, but it could be a very grievous offence if any pedestrian is hit while trying to cross on the Zebra crossing sign.”.
Our man, had a firsthand experience of this while waiting with some other pedestrians at Ibo Market Bus Stop along Warri Sapele Road by Okere Road Roundabout, saying that “after waiting for about fifteen minutes, we resorted to waving and pleading before we were able to cross right on the Zebra crossing.”
On his own part, a motorist, Mr. John Atolagbe said he has vowed never to stop for any pedestrian to cross whether there is a zebra crossing sign or not. “I have suffered while trying to be a Good Samaritan.”
He stated that as at the time Motorcycles popularly known as Okada were operating, “I usually stop to let pedestrian cross on zebra crossing until one day at Okumagba Avenue by Olodi Primary School when a motorcyclist suspected to have been drunk just hit my car at the back smashing the rear light. Please, our drivers need to be more educated on this issue.”
