By Odiakaose Isioma Princess
Recently, I was driving along the Lekki-Epe expressway when I saw people gathered. The journalistic instinct in me made me stopped to see what was happening. Behold, it was an accident and to the glory of God nobody died but the bus involved was badly damaged and most passengers of the buses had minor bruises and injuries.
I volunteered to pick a young man who had few bruises and was going to the hospital for first aid. As we were driving to the hospital, I asked him what precisely caused the accident. He said the driver was using his cell phone he was receiving a call when he lost control of the bus the few seconds he took his eyes of the road. The bus swerved of the road to hit a PHCN pole. They were lucky that other vehicles coming behind were far, else it would have been a fatal accident. I was greatly angry and disgusted on how careless people can be with their lives and that of others.Thus, I have dedicated half of this year to create more awareness on driving safely. I have tagged it the ‘JOURNEY WELL series.’
What will it cost to park for a few minutes and use the cell phone? People might be quick to say.Ohh! The bus driver is an illiterate. However, the truth is that both some of the literates and elites are guilty of this offence.Sometimes,you are driving and the car in front of you is swerving on the road in a funny way when you manage to overtake that’s when you notice the person is busy using the cell phone.
Dear readers, if you are guilty of this please stop and spread the message. Countless, lives have been lost due to this unsafe act. Speed is not the only unsafe act that kills using your cell phone while driving does too. Remember your loved ones! If the nature of your job or business requires you use your cell phone regularly.You can adopt the hands-free technology is easy to use and widely available.Though most brands of new cars are equipped with technology that connects your cell phone to your vehicle’s stereo system. If your car is an older model vehicle, I will suggest you get a cell phone with bluetooth and voice recognition technology that can allow you to send and receive messages hands-free e.
‘Silence means consent’, which is very true. Passengers in a vehicle should assertively reprimand a driver when he wants to use his cellphone while driving and ask him to park and use it.Nigeria will be a better place for us, when we try in our own little ways to make it better. Till next month when I will bring you another enlightening, entertaining edition of the journey well series. Let’s say no to driving and using the cellphone.
Please, I will appreciate your comments and suggestions. Kindly send SMS only to 08054079641.
