Escaped three accidents in a day en-route ICT events – 4 of 4
The wait and the final journey safely home.
Just like the other drivers, there was no remorse and absolutely no apologies from the driver. It was just as a matter of fact, it happened and so what?! not my fault ! I so much wish there is a system in place that will account drivers for these kind of accidents. People need to be held responsible for their action or inaction to curb this recklessness and negligence. Many people are losing their lives and being maimed for life because of accidents caused by the recklessness and negligence of these drivers. If people know they will be held responsible either way, then they will change their attitude and take the safety and lives of their passengers more serious, ensuring their vehicles are in good working order before getting on the roads. Lives and safety comes before profit, people need to be made to understand this as a fact.
It has been raining all day and it was still raining as we waited beside the road. I was cold being wet from the rain and the night cold wind. I asked the driver to call for another vehicle to come and pick us up since it is obvious his car can’t be driven anymore. He looked at me and asked where should he be calling the car from, Lagos or Ibadan? I replied to him, whichever one as long as we get a vehicle to pick us up. He then told me there is no such arrangement, we just have to wait and flag down any vehicle coming. This situation set me on edge, getting on vehicles by the road side not from authorised garages has resulted in countless horror stories of people being driven off never to be seen again or when seen, they are no longer of this world.
Several lorries passed, some of the passengers with me were flagging them down and I was wondering how on earth would I climb upon a lorry if one were to stop. None of the lorries stopped for us but soon a bus came along, we flagged it down and it stopped, it looked empty and I ran for it, thinking I wouldn’t want to be left behind, in case there is not enough space for all of us. But as I got into the bus, it was obviously empty except for a woman sitting in one of the back seat with enough space left for all of us. We all entered and our driver from the broken car paid the fare. He had to stay behind to take care of his car before leaving and the driver of the bus told him not to be too long at that spot as it is not a safe place to be. We went off on the bus leaving the car driver behind.
Different thoughts went through my mind as we go on in the bus, I tried to push them aside, thanking Allah(swt) that at least I am safe and I prayed to be safe for the rest of the journey till I get home. Safety on our roads is a big issue that needs to be taken seriously by everybody concerned, right from the Government to the Transport and road safety authorities, garage and motor park owners, vehicle owners, drivers and passengers themselves. Lack of safety on our roads is existential threat that concerns everyone irrespective of if they use their own private vehicle or commercial vehicle. We all risk our lives on a daily basis plying the roads, our safety is in the hands of the drivers, we like it or not. I went out today on a journey seeking after my means of livelihood, personal and professional development and I was met with all of the above. I should be re-counting what I have learnt, who I have met, what took my fancy, what I need to do next to gain the full benefit of the events I attended but instead, I am re-counting my lucky escape from what could have been my end and exit from this world, not once but thrice all in a day.