Research has affirmed that about 80 per cent of road accidents can be attributed to human factors or human errors. The most common (not necessarily the most critical) of these errors is “irregular use or non- use of mirrors”.
It is disheartening to see vehicles without either or both side mirrors while some do not have the inner or central mirror. This is more prevalent among commercial vehicles. Many tri-cycles and motorcycles move about dangerously without side mirrors as well.
The three duties of a driver no matter his or her years of driving experience are to gather, interpret and apply information correctly to ensure effective and safe vehicle control.
Of these three duties of a driver, the gathering of information with the eyes is the foundation and very vital. When information is not gathered while driving, there will be no information to interpret and the decision of such a driver will become erratic which could lead to a fatal accident.
The two side mirrors and the central mirrors are very essential for information gathering particularly to assist in lane change, overtaking, turning or braking. The absence, non-use or irregular use of the mirrors therefore fuels safety risks while driving.
I have three major pleas to make in this article for the benefit of all classes of drivers and riders to enhance safety on roads.
My first plea goes to all categories of drivers, riders and vehicle owners to ensure that their vehicles do not move on the roads no matter how short the distance without the three mirrors properly fixed, clean and appropriately adjusted.
My second plea goes to officers of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and other State Traffic Management Agencies to ensure that drivers handling vehicles without all the three mirrors should be arrested, fined and sent to nearby driving schools for a 1 day correctional training where they will be taught and shown relevant video clips on the importance of the three mirrors and case studies of accidents caused by the absence, non-use and irregular use of each of the mirrors.
My third plea goes to the officers of Nigeria Police Force, soldiers and other officers at checking points and bribe collection points who are fond of breaking vehicle side mirrors whenever they got angry that such drivers did not stop to pay the usual dues or co-operate with them. Many drivers that I interviewed have adduced this as the reason why they are not having side mirror(s).
In a nutshell, the two side mirrors and the inner or central mirror are very vital to information gathering for safe driving. Every driver and vehicle owner must have the right types for their vehicles, fix them well, dry-clean them and properly adjust them for effective use to prevent accidents or near accidents while driving. Prevention is better and cheaper than cure.
The commonest driving error
