Lagos Horn Free Day: Motorists Display Compliance To Directive

By Tajudeen Balogun/Ayo Balogun/Niyi Adeyi, Lagos

There is appreciative level of compliance and cooperation by the motorists early Wednesday morning in various parts of Lagos metropolis, as the state marks the first ‘Horn Free day’ in the country.

As early as 5.00 am in the morning, the usual blastering of horn on the express roads was totally lacking, except those of motorbikes, otherwise called okada, plying the minor and inbuilt (street) roads.

AFRICAN EXAMINER Correspondents who moved around axis such as Lagos –Abeokuta expressway, Agege motor road, Ipaja road, Oba Ogunjobi road, Iju and Ijaiye roads all within Agege, Ikeja and Ifako Ijaiye Local Government areas of the state, observed that some of the motorists – private, corporate and commercial complied totally with the horn free directive as given by the state government.

Our Correspondents reported that some of the motorists instead of the usual horn hooting, resulted to full light ‘stay on’ and flashing, beside the usual traffication to send signals to the oncoming drivers on their driving direction.

A visit to Total garage in Agege by AFRICAN EXAMINER Correspondent last night, gave impression of an appreciative level of cooperation. One of the drivers, Benjamen Joseph said members of the garage were fully aware about the day, adding their union leaders have been sensitizing them about the day and encouraging them to comply.

One of the measures to ensure this is achieved he indicated was the printing and distribution of flyers among their members.

In some garages, AFRICAN EXAMINER also gathered that the NURTW union leaders ordered that the horns of their members to be removed to check errors by some of the drivers who are so used to horn blastering.

Some private road users applauded the horn free directive. Wale Obalanlege, a banker in Lagos Island area said he enjoyed the peace of driving without harassment via horns by other road users. He added that he wished the civil mentality displayed today would be sustained on some of the ever congested Lagos roads. Another commercial bus driver, Tahoheed Makinde hailed the idea. He confessed a day like this was important for some of his colleagues for re- orientation and essence of patience while driving.

It was the same response in other areas like Ogba, Berger/Ojodu, Ikeja and others.

Still, some commuters expressed concern on dangers inherent in horn free driving. A commuter at Pen Cinema area of Agege, Mrs. Jessica Emmanuel said the intention of the directive was okay, yet worried and asked what happens to prevent dangers or accident when you cannot hoot horn?

The state Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa stated while addressing newsmen Wednesday morning that the idea of free horn day was to make people “best agent of change”.