Oba Adesoji Aderemi Road, popularly known and called Road 1, is one of the 24 roads located in Obafemi Awolowo University. It is a major thoroughfare, connecting the main entrance of the university to other areas. Unfortunately, there have been several accidents on this road over the years, some of which have resulted in loss of life.
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On Monday, April 1, at about 6:00 pm, there was an accident where a car somersaulted. Luckily enough, no lives were lost but casualties were recorded. It should be recalled that in December 2023, a week after the 47th convocation ceremony, an accident occurred along Road 1 that led to the death of a final-year student. These are few among all other cases of accidents that have been recorded on the road.
All of these occurrences have led to the need for a safe use of roads to prevent frequent and further accidents. This births the need for obeying traffic regulations and putting other precautionary measures in place.
Traffic laws and regulations are established to maintain traffic flow, safeguard all road users’ safety, and reduce the likelihood of accidents. Although, there might be impulses to ignore or neglect these regulations occasionally, failing to abide by them can lead to disparaging outcomes.
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Obeying traffic laws is crucial for road safety and the protection of the lives along Road 1 and other adjourning roads within the campus. It involves following speed limits, obeying traffic lights, and using turn signals to prevent collisions and injuries. Speeding reduces control and reaction time, highlighting the importance of adhering to traffic regulations for personal safety.
Mr Adegboyega, the Ag. Chief Security Officer of the University in a conversation with ACJOAU correspondent explained that the speed limit for Road 1 was formerly 80 km/h but it has been revised to 50 km/h. He further stated that, “In the student dominated area, it is 20 km/h while in staff quarters it is 40 km/h”. Despite these speed limits in place, road users on campus still flout them.
Traffic regulations should be made such that road users who flout any of these measures do not go scot-free as others who wish to partake in driving beyond speed limits and other rules are deterred.
Traffic regulations are also needed for the protection of vulnerable road users. Aside from the drivers, there are pedestrians, bike riders and cyclists who go through Road 1 daily. The safety of these sets of people is to be put into consideration as every single life matters.
In all, traffic regulations need to be put in place by the management and properly adhered to by commuters. Putting this in place will bring about a reduction in the frequent avoidable accidents on road 1.