By Francis Sadhere, Warri
Experts in road safety have identified the use of mobile phones while driving as the major causes of road accidents in the world.
The experts made this observations in Warri on Wednesday during the Federal Road Safety Corps, Special Marshall 2017 Sectoral workshop held at Chevron Clinic Warri, Delta State.
The workshop which has the theme, “Road Safety Is Not A Privilege But Right,” was well attended by road safety experts, security experts, and other professionals across the country.
A safety expert, Engr Harriman Oyofor who presented the lead paper, “Road Safety is Not A Privilege But A Right” noted that distracted driving has killed a lot people on the road.
Oyofor who has been in the safety business for more than three decades, described distracted driving as anything you do behind the wheel other than driving, adding that the number one cause of distraction while driving is the use of mobile phones.
“Accepting that now work has become hazardous and a lot more downright perilous because drivers not only do all those unsafe things they previously did when life was a little less fast, they can now make phones calls, send/read text, listen to music on iPods or whatever, while zeeping down the road, streets or highway,” Oyofor said.
He said mobile phones were weapons of mass distraction that have caused a lot of death on the road, adding that unless a law is enacted to prohibit the use of mobile phones while driving in Nigeria, more people will continue to die.
He added that with the already appalling high road traffic fatality recorded, distracted driving may yet be one problem too many for the country’s struggling and overstretched road transportation and safety management agencies.
The safety expert therefore adviced the public to recognize distracted driving as a clear and present danger to every user, adding that the unsafe act of the one behind the wheel affects all in the visibility.
“Avoid the use of mobile phones while driving because when the phone rings, you first take a look at who is calling and that is as much as two seconds off the road. When you answer the call you are simple not in control of what is happening around you or the vehicle since your attention is elsewhere.
“Here in Nigeria, it is doubtful if distracted driving has yet hit home with various tiers of government. The government has not seen this as a problem that requires urgent and special attention or if indeed there are any concrete plans anywhere to address it,” Oyofor wondered.
Earlier, the Deputy National Coordinator, Dr. Sini Kwane who was represented by the Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Kehinde Adeleye challenged all Special Marshals to do all they can to preserve life.
The Delta State Sector Commander, Mr. Rindom Kumven on his part said road accident, according to the United Nations statistics, remained the number 10th cause of death in the world.
Delta State Special Marshall Coordinator, Mr Dickson Amromawhe in his opening address said more people have been killed by road accident than are being killed by any disease in the world.
He said over 1.3 million people die yearly globally as a result of road accident, adding that over 20 million people suffer from road accident injuries.
Highlight of the event was the investiture of honorary special marshals amongst whom were Mr. Sam Daibo, Manger Chevron, Chief Charles Obule, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye ,CEO Wellman Group, Mrs.Dorcas Mojisola, Pastor Tony Mene, and Mr. Chris Nwabueze.
