Regulators should do more to curb reckless driving
In the past two weeks, the alarm clock of a mother of four, Amarachi Promise Esomonu, has been ringing needlessly. The alarm used to rouse her from sleep to prepare the children (aged three, four and 10) for school. But it is now of no use as there are no children going to school anymore. Esomonu recently lost her three children in an unfortunate accident in the Ogbunabali area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.A lady on a driving lesson reportedly veered off the public road and rammed into the Esomonu family house, killing her three children instantly. A viral video of the distraught woman was seen sobbing uncontrollably and seeking help. The State Police Command has ordered an investigation into the tragedy, but that does not lessen the grief of family members and public outrage.
While we commiserate with the Esomonu family for this tragic loss, the incident has again brought to fore the needless waste of lives across the country through traffic accidents. But this also brings into sharp focus the regulatory environment. In societies where people live according to law,driving lessons are conducted by accredited driving schools in specified locations. Even here, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has a list of accredited driving schools where learners are formally trained, certified before a driver’s license is issued. But many times, the law is observed in the breach. Across the country today, driving lessons are done anywhere, and licenses can be issued to anyone as long as the right “fees” are paid. According to reports, the Esomonu children were killed in front of their home, and curiously, after dark around 8.30pm. What was a learner doing on the wheel at such a time of the night?
