This post will show you how to avoid becoming aggressive driver in Lagos Nigeria. Today’s drivers are becoming increasingly frustrated on roads. Rush hour traffic, the increasing number of construction sites (work zones) and traffic congestion due to roadside businesses have add to the driver’s frustration.
The biggest culprits to dangerous driving practices include the aggressive, road rage and reckless drivers. Aggressive driving is a form of reckless driving which is the driving of a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates a willful disregard for the safety of other people or property. An aggressive driver can not obey traffic rules and/or the right of way laws.
Common causes of aggressive driving include crowded city or urban roads; bad roads; being in hurry; stress from day work or other areas of life; dangerous driving attitudes; and selfishness. In this case, we are going to look at avoid becoming an aggressive driver in Lagos Nigeria.
We choose Lagos state because it’s one of the biggest cities in West Africa with huge population and massive business activities. If you have been in Lagos, then you don’t need anyone to tell you about the number of hours you could spend on traffics in a day.
Whether you are moving from Ojodu Beggar to Oshodi, Ikorodu to Ketu, or from Surulere to Mile2, and from Murtala Muhammed International Airport to Victoria Island, let us take a brief look at the city of Lagos and how to avid aggressive driving experience and incessant traffic jams as a residence or tourist.
About Lagos State Nigeria
Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria is famous and unique in many ways. Like it is with most cosmopolitan cities across the world, Lagos State is the sixth largest city in the world – having an estimated population of 21 million residents.
With three terminals and two ports, Lagos generates 50% of Nigeria’s port revenue, and the leading non oil Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.
It is indeed, not strange that Lagos experiences continuous queues of vehicles which block an entire network of intersecting streets and highways; bringing traffic in all directions to a complete standstill.
Traffic gridlock has become one of the sour identities of Lagos which successive governments in the state have been trying to do away with.
With the increasing number of commercial activities and vehicles in Lagos, it is anticipated that the demand on the roads system will increase 25 percent by year 2025. And that road capacity will only increase by 4 percent.
Therefore, we need to find a way to deal with the conditional traffic driving satiations that come with this human and vehicular congestion.
How to Avoid Becoming Aggressive Driver in City Roads
Aggressive driving are wrong behaviours or wrong ways drivers do drive that can result in crashes or other incidents on roadways. These unsafe driving practices can be in the form of negligent driving, drag race, and road rage.
A person may be guilty of aggressive driving if he/she does one of the following:
- Passing traffic lights with steady RED indication or stop signs;
- Overtaking and passing vehicles on the right;
- Changing lanes swiftly;
- Following too closely (tail-getting);
- Failing to yield the right-of-way; and
- Exceeding maximum speed limits.
So, below are best ways to avoid becoming an aggressive driver in busy cities of the world and in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt Nigeria.
10 Ways to Avoid Becoming Aggressive Driver in Lagos Nigeria
#1. Get the right attitude to Defensive Driving Techniques by attending a formal driving school to learn the right driving skills.
#2. Plan your journey ahead and identify potential road hazards, traffic congestions and decide on how to avoid them.
#3. Leave earlier in an attempt to avoid traffic problem at rush hours, make sure your trips to or within Lagos State are done at early hours of the day or latest by noon.
#4. Before leaving, get traffic updates from reliable traffic radio reporters in Lagos and other related social media networks such as:
- Lagos Traffic Radio (@lagostraffic961)
- Lagos State Traffic Management (LASTMA) (@followlastma )
- Gidi Traffic (@Gidi_Traffic )
- AB Drives (@abdrives4life)
- Traffic Butter App (@trafficbutter)
- Lagos Traffic Reporter (@TrafficChiefNG)
- Lagos Traffic Radio station (@lagostraffic961)
#5. While driving, obey traffic signs and signal lights; DO NOT overrun Red Lights or STOP signs!
#6. Do not exceed the legal speed limits – they are there for a reason. And avoid lane indiscipline and dangerous driving.
#7. Avoid driving the wrong way up a one-way road or street to avoid been fined or your vehicle impounded by LASTMA officials.
#8. Slow down while approaching built-up areas; use your horn to inform other road users of your presence and not to intimidate them.
#9. When in traffic, just be late, be a courteous and patient driver. Better still; identify alternative routes and maneuvers to save times.
#10. Drive well and set a good example for the younger passengers or children who may be learning from you.
Wrapping up: How to Avoid Becoming Aggressive Driver in Lagos Nigeria
Now you know how to avoid becoming Aggressive Driver in city roads and urban driving. As a good and professional driver, you may follow these tips to protect yourself from Aggressive Drivers:
- Get out of the way and let an aggressive driver pass.
- Don’t challenge them when you meet them.
- Avoid eye contact, abuse and shouting at them.
- Be a courteous and responsible driver always.
Is this article helpful? Then share it with your friends! Leave your comments below if you think there is anything to be done about the Lagos State traffic situations.
