Fashola’s move to connect Lagos motorists to driving school

Kunle Awosiyan, Lagos Updated: Monday 02.10.2009

IF the Lagos State government can adequately implement its policies in the transportation sector, Lagos

residents, motorists and commuters, will soon begin to breathe an air of peace.

Unarguably, the introduction of the Bus Rapid Transit, LAGBUS, and Executive Cabs into the state transportation system has not only increased the revenue base of the government, it has brought solace to the teeming population of commuters in the metropolis.

Even with stiff regulations, the transpost sector is still faced with so many challenges, principally in the area of human development, which encompasses the drivers and car owners; most drivers and car owners lack the necessary skills and education to ply Lagos roads.

Many of them cannot understand the road signs and codes. They drink while driving. As a matter of fact, most commercial drivers smoke marijuana and drink alcohol. This anomaly perhaps has led to the death of many innocent souls. It is a major source of worry for the government.

However, in its bid to redress the anomaly, the state government is focusing its attention on improving drivers’ knowledge across the state through the establishment of a drivers’ institute.

Interestingly, the idea, which was initiated by the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Bola Tinubu, was unfolded last Tuesday. The state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), inaugurated the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute in Ikeja and Ikorodu. He also launched specialised equipment to usher in modern transportation system in the metropolis.

While analysing the need for a drivers’ institute in the state despite the office of Vehicle Inspection and Lagos State Transport Management Authority, the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute, Mr. Ayodeji Oyedokun, said the rate of accidents had not gone down despite the various traffic officers.

And this may be as a result of the failure to train professional drivers and private car owners in the metropolis.

“Though VIO is gradually chasing away rickety vehicles from Lagos roads, wobbly drivers are increasing in number, making it so difficult for the government to reduce accidents on the highways,” he said.

According to Oyedokun, there are three major factors responsible for accidents on the highway; human beings, mechanical faults and the state of the roads.

Oyedokun noted that it had been observed that 85 per cent of motoring accidents is caused by the drivers who lack the simple knowledge of highway codes and signs.

He told the Nigerian Tribune that the institute had conducted a research, which revealed that most Lagos commercial drivers had eye problems, perhaps due to the smoking of Indian hemp, cigarette and drinking of alcohol.

“They do not care to correct these anomalies but go ahead driving on the highway because they possess all the necessary documents a professional driver must have,” he said.

The institute, besides the theoretical lessons it will provide for the drivers, will expose them to various codes and signs in an audio-visual room. There is also the optometric unit, where driver’s eyes are examined. The optometric unit is manned by a consultant, Dr. Bruce Ignetius.

Another room is the bio-metric centre, where the driver’s bio-data is taken for record purposes. Electronic finger printing is also done in this room.

There is also the simulator unit for the training and analysis of the driver’s skills. This is the room where driver’s responses to external stimuli are tested. It is also where the driving techniques of all categories of drivers are conducted.

Here, drivers are tested on how good they could be in the rain, night or cloudy weather. The room also consists of projectors to show films of accident scenes and various ways they could be averted.

According to Oyedokun, the law guiding the creation of the institute makes it mandatory for every professional driver in Lagos to undergo a two-day course with certification.

“This will serve as a great opportunity for truck drivers who lack the necessary expertise to drive on the highway. There are many truck drivers in Lagos who do not know the road signs, we will teach them here,” he said.

He explained that the institute had already developed a curriculum, which the governor would soon approve for the school.

“Once in a year, we will issue certificate of competence, which every driver must have in their possession at all times to know who has passed through the institute. LASTMA officials can also recommend any erring driver to the institute if he has not passed through the course,” he said.