· DRIVING WITHOUT SEATBELT FASTENED
· DISTRACTIONS ON DRIVERS
· OVER-SPEEDING
· DRIVING AND DRINKIN
1. SEATBELTS
A seatbelt is safety device in a vehicle that helps to decelerate the body during crash, thereby, preventing the victim form falling from the vehicle. It helps to minimize injuries during accident. The first seatbelt was introduced in 1957.
Awareness on the part of road users on wearing of seatbelts inNigeriais not encouraging. People seem not understand that wearing of seatbelt is absolutely for their safety and not the law enforcement agent asking them to do so. A driver refusing to fasten seatbelt does not know the consequences in case of accident. Wearing of seatbelt is the simplest and effective ways of protecting yourself as a driver or a passenger.
QUESTIONS TO DRIVERS
· Would you say that driving in Nigerian roads is dangerous?
· Do you and your passenger “ALWAYS” wear a seatbelt?
REGULATIONS
1. RESPONSIBILITIES OF DRIVERS: Drivers should fasten seatbelts before moving their vehicles and ensure that passengers fasten seatbelts also.
2. PASSENGERS’ RESPONSIBILTIES: To ensure that you fasten your seatbelts.
CHALLENGES ON THE USE OF SEATBELTS INNIGERIA
· Attitude of users
· Illiteracy
· Ignorance
· Uniform service not willing to use seatbelts
· Inadequate enforcement
· Nature of vehicle or mechanical problems of the vehicle
· Commercial drivers dismantling seats and putting customized seats without seats.
2. DISTRACTIONS ON DRIVERS
Distraction is the diversion of attention from activities critical for safe driving towards a compelling activity. In driving, you need three things to work together-your hands, eyes and mind.
TYPES OFDRIVER DISTRACTION
1. VISULA DISTRACTION: Looking away from the road due to the blare sun, looking at scene of accident, looking at construction sites, looking at adverts on bill-boards.
2. COGNITIVE DISTRACTION: Mind off the road due to reflection on a subject or conversation, passengers yelling or fighting, animal in the vehicle.
3. MANUAL DISTRACTION: Hands off the steering wheel, reaching for cassettes, adjusting/fastening seatbelts, eating or drinking, answering cell-phone, doing make-up on steering etc.
UNITED NATION INTERVENTION
The Viena convention amended in 2006 states that:
· A driver of a vehicle shall at all times minimize any activity other than driving.
· Domestic legislation should lay down rules on answering phone while driving.
By SP Gene March
