My dear young friends, sure you are doing great today. I am doing splendid. In fact, I am excited to be with you today to have this very important discussion on personal safety and self-protection from road traffic-related accidents.
Last week, I share two tips. I hope you find them useful. If so, I want to hear from you. I want you to share with me your experiences. What have you learnt and how have you been helped by these tips. I bet you, I have gifts for comments. Trust me.
Today, I will continue as I share more tips on how to protect yourselves from road traffic-related accidents
III Use your seat belts: I urge you to always use seat belts both while sitting in front or at the back of a car or bus. It is general practice for people to wear seat belt only when they are sitting in the front of a car. The question, you must ask is why did the manufacturer of a car or bus put seat belt at the back seats? It is very simply. It is for our safety. It has been found that ‘motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of five and 34. Crashes also cause millions of serious injuries every year. The simple act of buckling up is the best way to save lives and reduce injuries from crashes.’ As young people, we give many excuses for not wearing seat belt. We say things like, ‘It’s uncomfortable, I’m only going around the corner,’ I’d rather be thrown out of a car than be stuck in a seatbelt.’ All of these do not hold water at all. Accidents do happen in the most expected places, even within one’s locality. Seat belt is not only meant for long trips or when a car is on top speed. It is meant to be used any time you get into a car. I will round up this tip by sharing with you a slogan, I saw somewhere: ‘Seat Belts: Every Person, Every Seat, Every Trip.’
IV Avoid overloaded cars or buses: we live in a country where you have to take responsibility for your own safety. When you use commercial buses or car, you find in most cases that the operators carry passengers above the number prescribed by the manufacturers. In most cases, they put two passengers in the front seat, which is meant for one. In some instances, passengers carry each other in the car or bus. It is popularly called, ‘lapping.’ The unfortunate thing is that police officers and other law enforcement agents on the road look another way when the operators of commercial buses and cars overload their vehicles. It has now become a general practice. Please note that the manufacturers design vehicles for different purposes and the number of people the vehicles are to carry is very important to the design. Once a vehicle is overloaded, even by one passenger, it is out of order and this may not be in the best interest of the passengers. Therefore, I urge you to caution an operator, when you are to take a commercial cars or vehicle not overload the car. If he/she refuses, you may find an alternative. This may also apply to private cars in your homes and with friends. In some instances, when a car is overload in front, it hinders the ability of the driver to have full control of the car.
I think a lot has been said today. We shall continue next week. I am available for your questions. I charge you to stay SMART! Do have an INSPIRED week.
Taiwo Akinlami is a Barrister & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, foremost Child Protection Specialist, Consultant to UNICEF, governments, and other leading national and international organisations on Child Protection, Independent Legal and Social Regulatory Expert on Child’s Rights and Responsibilities Issues, Legal Enlightenment & Development Enthusiast, Researcher, Social Empowerment Advocate, Author, Blogger and an accredited facilitator of the British Council School Leadership Program. Website: www.taiwoakinlami.com│Blog: www.taiwoakinlami.wordpress.com│Twitter: @taiwoakinlami
