IR: Some 15 years ago, while I was still in Sokoto, I had flagged down a commercial motorcyclist, what Lagosians call okada, but which is called kabu kabu up there. It was about 9 p.m, and there were few vehicles on the roads, and fewer human traffic still. We were approaching a junction and the traffic light was showing red a distance away.
Looking that there was no vehicle anywhere and no one I could see around, I expected the motorcyclist to keep moving. But when he got there, he stayed put, waiting for the light to turn green. I was not only moved, I was impressed. Some may have urged him to move on, and perhaps generating an argument, but I never did such. Here was an uneducated northerner, perhaps illiterate, obeying traffic law to the letter.
I asked him in Hausa why he did not jump the light since there was no vehicle or even anyone in sight, and since he apparently posed no danger. He said he always felt morally obliged to do the right thing. I patted him on the back and his leathery face split into a smile. When I got to my destination, I paid him the fare, and he made to give me my change, I told him to keep the change. And he was very thankful.
I also remember back then again in Sokoto, I strolled along the street with a friend, when a Caucasian rode past on a motorbike, with full protective gear, and a bold helmet, and my friend yelled at him: “Get real!” And the rider rode on with a confused expression. Perhaps he had done something wrong, he thought. It seems it is not in our nature to obey laws, even that which will save our own lives. Up till today, it is common to see an Okada rider with his passenger both not wearing protective helmets.
When traffic snarls, I see drivers“jackrabbit” just because they are not patient enough. And I often wonder where they are running to and how much time they think they can gain. But they not only burn their fuel, they could also cause unnecessary panic that could lead to accidents as they try to overtake, vehicles after vehicles.
Okada riders perhaps pose the greatest risk to a driver in Lagos, and even to pedestrians. Even when they are at fault especially riding one-way, and they hit you, you have bought yourself a cargo whether you like it or not, as sympathisers will package the Okada man for you to take to the hospital and incur unnecessary expenses. Nobody remembers your car that he may have dented.
The Lagos State government has signed into law new traffic regulations, but instead of welcoming them, many are getting frantic about this. They complain that the penalties are too stiff, and are now fearful of running foul of the law. But doing the right thing, rather than the fear of paying penalties should be the drive to obey traffic laws. The best driver is the one who can predict the other driver. But if the other driver is lawless, it makes it more difficult to predict him.
The Lagos government is well-meaning and sounding the message for all to hear, and it is for us to cooperate for our own good.
• Dr Cosmas Odoemena,
Lagos
