Driving Ourselves Crazy!!!

“You would think that rapture is to have your car go through that crossing spot in time..”

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Ugh!!! Lagos roads have made repute for having paths only the most excellent drivers can plough and survive. There are days when driving seems like the worst thing that ever happened to mankind. Daily behind my wheel I’m exposed to certain scenes that make me wonder if the persons sitting behind steering wheels are actually in possession of a functioning brain.

Controversies ensue momentarily whenever silly flaws happen in traffic, the issue of who is at fault whenever there is an occurrence involving two vehicles can as well be substituted for the presidential debate. Literally!

I can sit here and rant about the various classifications of drivers we have in Lagos even the Nigerian economy shows better promise in stability.

Personally, I like to take long drives as a habit because it helps to ease tension, but the thought of the things that happen on Lagos roads can bring you screaming to your death.

I believe that while driving you do not drive for yourself alone. It’s a pyramid matrix, you observe the movement of the car in front you, the cars on both sides your car and ultimately the car behind, Most Lagos drivers are ABSOLUTELY oblivious of this fact.

Which causes the first headache? Is it the unnecessary blaring of horns or the inconsistent application of breaks? This is happens a lot at rush hours. I can condone the breaks because you never can say what is happening in another car that could warrant an unanticipated stop, however I tend to limit my tolerance to occurrences at rush hours and not to those loathsome personalities that do this in broad afternoon heat.(seriously you should be alert by now or switch to decaf!!).

There are those that drive like they are sitting on hot coals only to get in front of you and slow the hell down. You begin to search for the invisible mountain that fell from the sky to cause such rapid deceleration. At this point I don’t know whether to get upset, angry or even both at the same time, but aren’t these negative emotions useless?

Overtaking!! What the hell!! We all guilty of this! It’s a normal thing to do when you drive and the guy in front of you seems to have all the time in the world including that God didn't add. Now, when you are moving at a speed higher than that of an ongoing car, it is permitted to observe carefully and then swerve in as you over take. However the recent behavior is to have cars accelerate when there is notice of an incoming car trying to overtake, which is just plain wrong. Woe unto he that looks at the face of the accelerating driver as if seeking affirmation that an error has occurred, if lucky enough you'll  meet a blank look that mimics the look on the faces of the three iconic white statues that silently proclaim “welcome to Lagos!!”

I would consciously neglect the fear inducing services or should I say “activities” of the traffic wardens whom I cannot identify anymore due to the recent spike of various colored uniforms on Lagos roads AND the fact we no longer wait for the traffic lights to finally turn green before slamming our accelerator pedals. 

It is evident that the theory of simple  seconds is on reverse in this state

On a specific level, what happens at the toll gate is jaw dropping; I am of course talking about the almighty Lekki toll gate ITSELF!! (yes the extra emphasis was needed). I have observed this a couple of times at rush hours, the flow of cars become so much that it builds into a traffic jam. As merciful as the concession company can manageably be, they spare a couple of minutes to let all the cars go free by opening the barricades for a couple of minutes. Suddenly, the frenzy begins; you would think that rapture is to have your car go through that crossing spot in time. Somewhat like a gold rush and the car's voluntarily pick up their legs and run straight for the now Golden gate; horns blast through the air, cars peel paint off each other, make dents and rip side mirrors off as though their  drivers were no longer in control. How could they be in control?. Humans would never drive in that manner... Or would they?

 It’s really easy, in every flow, be it electric or "vehicular", the effective movement of one unit facilitates a positive ripple effect on the other units. So, one mad bus driver can create a hundred other mad drivers even though these drivers individually drive the latest Toyota Camry.

As humans this law can be toyed with since we possess a thinking mind with willpower and choice at its disposal;  At the onset of such chaotic ripple effect, resist the urge and observe patience knowing that one good deed from you affects the safety of others. Afterall one important driving rule has it that everything else not sitting behind the wheel you drive is insane and you must treat them with a rational mind. Your sanity in applying that rule will save a life which might just be yours.(beat the ripple effect of this mentality).

The theory of simple seconds suggests that the possibility of an overwhelmingly negative outcome of an event is greatly suppressed if strategically positive actions are executed in simple seconds.

We might be naturally encoded to do things in haste; assignments, closing from work, GETTING MARRIED or driving. Just let that Basic-Pulse, at least for survival trigger your higher thinking mind and move you to evaluate properly the realization that doing the right thing right is of a greater good than may be noticed.

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BIODUN LAARO AND W.P