The other day, while driving back home, two boda boda cyclists almost had an accident in front of me.
The surprising bit though is that the passengers on the motorbikes all hurled insults at me immediately.
Then I just wondered to myself, do these passengers ever put into consideration the mistakes made by these boda boda cyclists? How they endanger their lives as they swerve through cars and above all, the reality that they (the passengers) should check these guys and make sure they do the right thing?
Do we ever realise how careless these chaps can be on the road? I have had the opportunity of using some of these boda boda services on a couple of different occasions and before we even set off, I caution these guys and ask them to be as careful as it gets. When in wrong I raise my voice, firstly because I am worried sick at that point and secondly because I know someone else will use their services the next day and face similar risks.
Although these boda bodas are a necessary evil, we need to deal with them the right way. How will that chap learn from their mistake if the person being carried hurls insults at drivers who have already been offended? How about if the passenger instead of rebuking the risky cyclists decides to have some light conversation with the cyclist about a mistake that is clearly the cyclist’s fault? Let us help deal with such ugly situations by doing what is right at all times.
That stunt in front of me reminded me of the pregnant woman that was killed in such a sick way and many others that have lost life, and survived ugly injuries at the expense of these careless cyclists. Whereas most of them are hard-headed and stick to using the roads in the worst way they know how, we should take it upon ourselves to do what is right.
Put these guys in check and let them carry the blame whenever they put one’s life at risk. This kind of effort could go a long way in curbing so many road accidents in the end… or so I think!
cnankyam@gmail.com
