I heard stories about the crazy driving in Nigeria, but like the food prices I also though that it was exaggerated. I still had not learned my lesson, how sad is that? I think you will have to forgive me because we did arrive in the night and all I could think about was my bed after that 9 hour flight. I could not tell you anything about the streets we traveled that night we arrived.
Like the smell, the driving has to be experienced to be believed. I could tell you about it, but until you are in the midst of Nigerian traffic, you will not understand. The roads are lovely in Abuja, after all it was a planned city. The streets are numbered and named. But!Most Nigerians on the road drive like nutcases, like children with toy cars. The roads are frequently congested,
It's like they are all rushing to get on a bus first, they all crowd the roads to see who can get through first, with no regard for being orderly and seemly not aware that they could kill someone or themselves. It's like they are driving go carts or something. There are multiple traffic accidents every. Single. Day. Traffic lights are are taken seriously, providing that you are not in a hurry or feeling inclined to be lawful that day. If you want to go on a red light,really why shouldn't you?
Road signs are taken as suggestions to be used only when it suits the person driving. This is because most Nigerian don't have any formal kind of driving instructions. They learn it from a family member or a friend, then they go buy a license and a car. Most of them have never see or heard of the highway code. If you get into an accident with a local person expect to be blamed, even if you were rear-ended. They drive on the right side here, so if someone is on the right side coming up your street when they should be on the left side there is an accident, then really you should have been more careful, Clearly you saw him on the road and should have made allowances, never mind he's on the wrong side.
Some of the things they do baffle me. They drive on the pedestrian path, while motioning to the pedestrians to get out of the way. I found no reason for this that I could fathom, they do it even when there's no traffic on the road. I figured this is what total anarchy and absence of an enforced and upheld law is like. And unfortunately even if they get caught doing these things, all they have to do is give the policeman a dash (this is what a bribe is called here) and they are on their merry way.
From the picture above you can see just how crazy they get, the traffic leaving the city was thick, some of them decided to create a new law. It's like a little devil suggest to them, if the traffic is heave on the lanes that you are using and you have important things to do or maybe you just can't wait, then why not use one of the lanes in the opposite direction, after all it's kinda empty and not being used right?.
For me I don't have half the problems most Nigerians have. We don't get stopped by the police and asked for a dash to go through check points. I heard one gentleman's story, who wanted to see if he could get his license the legal way with out paying any more than was required. It took him years to finally get it without dashing anyone.
So even if they wanted to, it's very difficult to get your license without paying for it.
There are all kinds of craziness to be seen everyday. I also have to talk about the people who sell stuff by the highway. You never have to leave your car, anything at all that you can think of they sell on the highway,
nuts, eggs, apples, car tires, bicycle tires, vacuum bags, razors, cookies, car rugs, car accessories , ornaments, manicure sets, the list goes on and on. If you make the mistake of opening your window and ask how much though, they will all rush to your car!You can have fun here if you can find the humor in everyday life and situations. Next time Caribbean night, Nigerian Style!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment