Some years ago, I was speaking to someone who had lost a dear friend to a road accident. It was a tragedy that happened late at night, leaving an indelible mark on everyone who knew him. He was driving on a poorly lit highway with a car whose headlamps were the equivalent of a candle flame. His car hit a gaping pothole in the middle of the road and in seconds, he was out of control. A series of events unfolded that ultimately led to a head-on collision with an oncoming truck. He never made it home.
For his family, the pain was compounded by grief, unanswered questions, and the unshakable sense that his death was avoidable. If there were streetlights, if the pothole had been covered, maybe he would still be able to carry his 4year old daughter today.
Today, as the world observes the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDoR), stories like this remind us of how fragile life is. This annual event provides a platform for us to Remember. Support. Act. It’s a moment to reflect on lives that we have lost and families forever scarred by road traffic crashes, while also shining a light on systemic failures that allow these tragedies to persist.
The Grim Reaper
Nigeria’s roads, more than any others I know, have become proverbial death traps. From Lagos to Enugu, Kaduna to Port Harcourt, the dangers of our highways are obvious and everyday is another day to twiddle our fingers and hope for the best. Faulty drainage systems means that entire stretches of road are swallowed up by flood during the rainy season, while gaping potholes make even short commutes a life-threatening gamble.
It’s no wonder Nigerian roads have earned a reputation as “blood-sucking demons,” taking lives at every turn. Whether due to poor maintenance, reckless driving, or sheer negligence, each journey feels like a gamble with fate—a silent prayer for safe passage through the valley of the shadow of death.
Empty Promises, Deepening Crises
The most infuriating part? This isn’t a new problem. Every election cycle, politicians make lofty promises: We will fix the roads. We will improve infrastructure. But after four years, the state of our roads is often worse than before. The potholes are deeper and wider, the drainage systems remain in perpetual shambles, bridges collapse, and the death toll continues to rise.
For many Nigerians, it’s hard not to feel disillusioned, tired and worn-out. We’ve heard the same promises for decades, yet our highways remain death traps. While global efforts focus on reducing road traffic deaths and promoting safer driving practices, in Nigeria, we’re still grappling with basic infrastructure issues that could save countless lives.
Remember. Support. Act.
As we mark #WDoR2024, it’s crucial to reflect on those who have been lost— to careless and absent road policies. This day is also an opportunity to remember the relentless work of people, good samaritans who have devoted time and money to improve some roads. Those who decided not to wait for the government to act, but pooled resources together to see a better road. Their work is not perfect, it is often a band aid, but it shows the relentless spirit of Nigerians in the face of adversity. These are often the unsung heroes of our road tragedies.
But reflection and skeletal road maintenance by good people alone is not enough. We must demand accountability from he government. We need stricter traffic laws and consistent enforcement. We need investment in proper road infrastructure, not just in cities but across the nation. And most importantly, we need meaningful support systems for road traffic victims and their families.
A Call to Action
The theme of this year’s remembrance—Remember. Support. Act.—is a call to all of us. Remember the lives lost and the families shattered. Support the victims and the first responders as well as emergency personnel who bear the brunt of this crisis. And act to demand better policies, safer roads, and lasting change.
Every life lost is one too many, and every day without action is another gamble with innocent lives.