Riding Against Traffic Increases Spate Of Accidents In Osun – Findings
The increasing rate of traffic violations, especially riding against the traffic by commercial motorcyclists (okada riders) in Osun State has become a serious threat to the safety of commuters and pedestrians, findings by OSUN DEFENDER have revealed.
OSUN DEFENDER noted that it has become a norm for commercial motorcyclists to take a one-way and ride through the road median, a development that has continued to endanger the lives of passengers and other road users.
It was gathered that the practice is rampant among commercial motorcyclists in Osogbo.
The situation has, however, prompted residents of the state capital to call on the state government and security agencies to address the menace as a matter of urgency.
Some of the areas where riding against the traffic is rampant, as highlighted by the residents of Osogbo, are Capital, Ring road, Ogooluwa, Halleluyah Junction, Odiolowo, Isale-Osun, Ilesa garage to Oke Baale, among other routes.
OSUN DEFENDER gathered that several accidents have occurred due to riding against the traffic in the areas mentioned.
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Just last week, no fewer than three different accidents were recorded on Ilesa-Garage to Oke Baale road as a result of riding against the traffic by the Okada riders, according to some residents of the area.
Complaining on the increasing violation of traffic rules by the commercial motorcyclists, a resident of Osogbo, Kehinde Oseni, in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, said the Okada riders didn’t care about the safety of other road users, including their passengers.
Oseni urged Osun State government and relevant agencies to put an end to the menace, while tasking citizens of the state to be law abiding.
He said: “There is an urgent need for the Osun State government to address the incessant violation of traffic rules across the state, most especially in Osogbo. The Okada riders didn’t care about the life of other road users, and even the passengers they carried.
“Motorcyclists have normalised riding on the median at Capital Area, Ogooluwa, Ring road and others, endangering the lives of passengers and the commuters. Riding against the traffic is alarming. There is need to act fast.
“We all complained about government, but our attitude is also bad. Nigeria as a country won’t get any better until we all realized that government is a reflection of Nigerians and what Nigerians stand for. If an average Nigerian can be law abiding, either someone is watching or not, we won’t be in this mess.
“Have we as individuals tried putting a measure in place to curb this threat to public safety? Do you tell your Bikeman to stop when he tries to pass through the median? Governance is all of us, let’s not wait too long!”
Another resident of the state capital, Fatai Oluranti, said an accident occurred last week at the front of Dele Yessir, due to violation of traffic rule by a commercial motorcyclist.
According to Oluranti, “Something really needs to be done along that axis (Dele Yes Sir, at times these motorcyclists pass through the media with passengers, even school children. Some of them even face one way. May God continue to protect us all ooo.
“Hallelujah junction is even worst and more dangerous. Riding against the traffic has become a normal thing for the motorcyclists in Osogbo.
Meanwhile, a source within the Traffic Warden department of Osun Police Command who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER under the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, said they do not have power to arrest anyone violating traffic rules unless an accident occurred.
The source maintained that they can only charge or prosecute anyone violating traffic rules if he or she is involved in an accident.
However, the Public Relations Officer of the Osun Police Command, Mrs Yemisi Opalola told OSUN DEFENDER that she would inform the head of the traffic section to look into the matter.
