Last week, a man died because he was “right.”
He was driving straight. His lane was clear. His speed was normal. He did nothing wrong.
Then suddenly, a bus jumped the median without warning.
The bus driver was wrong. Everyone agreed.
But the man in the car was the one they buried.
This is the first rule of defensive driving most Nigerian drivers don’t understand:
Never assume the other driver will do the right thing.
On Nigerian roads, assumptions can kill you.
That driver in front of you without brake lights?
He can stop suddenly.
That okada rider squeezing between cars?
He can fall.
That truck with shaky containers?
It can drop.
That driver indicating left?
He may still turn right.
Defensive driving is not about proving you are right.
It is about staying alive.
Many drivers approach the road with pride.
“If he tries nonsense, I will show him.”
But defensive drivers approach the road with awareness.
“If he tries nonsense, I will be ready.”
The graveyard is full of drivers who had the right of way.
Pride doesn’t stop accidents.
Preparation does.
The Federal Road Safety Corps can not sit beside every driver.
So you must protect yourself.
Slow down when you see danger early.
Increase your distance.
Watch behaviour, not signals.
Expect mistakes.
Because on Nigerian roads, the best driver is not the fastest.
It is the one who arrives home.
Drive safely