By OLUBUKOLA AIYEDOGBON

Motorists and road users have appealed to government at all levels to revive traffic and road signs on roads and highways to ensure safety on the roads.

A cross section of road users and motorists who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Ilorin noted the near absence of traffic signs to guide people on the use of roads.

They said that reviving traffic signs had become paramount as it would guide the road users on the right thing to do.

They decried the unavailability of road traffic signs on major roads in the state, adding that they are being arrested for offences they were not aware of.

Mr. Ahmed Abubakar, a commercial driver, said road traffic signs were important for road safety.

“I know some of the traffic signs, but I must confess that it is not all that I understand and recognised.

“Sometimes, we are being arrested and made to pay fine without being aware of our offence.

“For instance, there is one way traffic at Obbo road, but no traffic sign there, so when you by chance pass through the road in the wrong direction, if you get caught you will face the consequences.

“We should also be enlightened about basic road signs. It is very important,’’ he said.

Another motorist, Mr. Adeyinka Olawoyin, said most offences and accidents on the highways were caused by lack of traffic knowledge.

Olawoyin said that road users were not used to road signs and if there were they do not recognised them.

“When you go on our roads, you hardly see road or traffic signs, people are not even used to it.

“You see people crossing at wrong places at any opportunity, because there is no road sign for crossing.

“Even if there was, are the drivers especially commercial drivers aware of such signs and their meanings?

“There is need for a reorientation and sensitization on road traffic regulations, we want traffic signs back on our roads, and at least it will bring back a little sanity.

“Government should revive traffic and road safety signs on our roads,” he said.

A trader, Mrs. Aisha Bello, said: “We are aware that there are traffic signs, but we do not see them.

“Sometimes car owners park indiscriminately and they cause a lot of gridlock here in the market.

“We want it back on our roads and streets, it will help with protection of market traders,’’ she said.

Bello said that while some road users are aware and recognised traffic signs, some are ignorant of such signs.

Mr. Nurudeen Issa, a motorcyclist, said: “Honestly, I do not know any traffic sign. The only thing I know is the plastic placed by the roadside by the authorities, and we all know that you cannot park there.

“When the traffic lights were working, I understood that too. I think I am not the only one; there are many of us like that who do not know traffic signs.

“We need more education on road safety.’’

“A pedestrian, Mrs. Taiye Aina, said: “Sometimes you are walking in the sidewalks meant for pedestrians, but bikes and tricycles will make you run because they want to pass.

“There are no pedestrian crossing signs, zebra crossing signs; even school children are not safe on the roads.

“Commercial drivers have become road lords because there is no sign to regulate their road use,’’ she said. (NAN)

Update news