Driving in Lagos traffic for a "new comer" or "learner" is like a battle field.
Here, overtaking is allowed. All parts of your body becomes your brain, your five senses are at work, your co-driver becomes a threat on the road to you, every driver sees a little space to feel in not minding bashing any car which could add more to the traffic.
People trecking are at risk,you look left, right, front and back because in Lagos most motorist in Lagos looses their sense of humanity and care. All they see is where they are going and how to beat the traffic.
In Lagos traffic, the road signs that indicate "one-way" are just for designs, they are not observed, you see cars breaking the rules, everyone becomes the "Road owner".
In Lagos traffic you have the "super mall", all you need to buy is sold in Lagos traffic, ranging from food items, clothes and home appliances.
In Lagos traffic you are vulnerable to the traffic hawkers, they sell lots of fake product which you can't trace where it's been manufactured, food items should be avoided. And if you are not the smart one they run away with your change or its incomplete. Only God is ones saviour.
The "Agberos" compound to the Lagos traffic because of there mission to demand for illegal tax from commercial bus drivers. Inability of the bus drivers to pay them results to fights which compounds to the traffic.
In Lagos traffic you tend not to be the reserved "you", you begin to speak all sorts of slang, it's more like "if you are in Rome you behave like the Romans". Hooting of horns means nothing.
Patience and sanity are far from people driving in Lagos traffic.
The Lagos traffic leaves you to fight for yourself.
If you have been to Lagos, you will know what am talking about.
If you haven't been it's not to scare you, Lagos is fun... but make the Boys scout motto your watch word "Be Prepared"
IT'S still my Lagos, it's still our Lagos.
Eko Akete
