Dangers of Cellphones on Wheels

Road traffic accidents are a significant cause of injury and death in Nigeria.

Far too many people are losing their lives every day, every week, every month and every year through accidents on Nigerian roads.

The yearly statistics on road accidents are frightening.

In fact it is feared that accident related cases is only second to death from malaria attack every year.

World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that Nigeria has over 32,000 deaths due to road accidents every year which is three times the number officially reported in the country.

Despite the absence of reliable statistics on the level of carnage on Nigerian roads, the reality is grim.

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said that old, rickety and badly maintained vehicles are the second largest cause of road accidents in Nigeria; the major is bad roads and carelessness.

According to the FRSC more than 1,000 Nigerians died in road accidents between March and September this year.

Nigeria has one of the world’s highest rate of road accidents and the figures announced by the FRSC are believed to be higher with many cases unreported.

The rising risks of talking on mobile phones whilst driving is also grave but Nigerians have kept talking on wheels.

The ludicrous stupidity of using a hand held mobile phone while driving is a familiar sight across the country.

Driving a car while talking on mobile phones is just crazy, it is the easiest way to put the driver and other people in danger.

It affects the ability of the driver to concentrate and anticipate the road ahead, thereby putting the driver and other road users at risk.

It is illegal in many countries including Nigeria use mobile phone whilst driving but few are usually prosecuted in the country for dangerous or careless driving.

The safest approach on wheels is to switch off the phone, alternatively, drivers can use voicemail or message service to access missed calls when they to stop or at the end of your journey

Importantly, if you must take the call inform the caller that you are driving and that you wish to keep the conversation short and simple.

It is also important to provide driver education at all levels because the habit of talking while driving cuts across the entire divide.

There should be appropriate punishment for any road indiscipline to serve as a deterrent to others.