In a world of electric cars, robots and amazing technologies Nigeria keeps taking one step forward and five more backwards. In a speech made by The FCT Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ayuba Gora, driving with the aid of Google map using mobile phones is a serious traffic offence. In a country where Bolt, Uber and other cab-hailing services are now a norm, how would that rule be beneficiary to its citizens?
In 2014, the cab-hailing service provider UBER launched in Nigeria. Its first city of operation was in Lagos. This brought about a decrease in the use of regular taxis. But then every new innovation brings about a new challenge. People no longer had to go to the park to get a Taxi, the taxi driver had to locate people in their homes.
This problem was solved by the use of google maps where you can get directions to wherever you wanted to go without having to stop to ask people. This made life easier for both the drivers and their clients to navigate the roads, avoid traffic and discover alternate routes to their destination.
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Before long other cab-hailing companies came into the light like, Bolt ( formerly Taxify), Oga taxi, ride me, Oride and many more. With the increase of these service providers in Nigeria the use of google maps became more popular amongst its citizens. Now, not only cab drivers make use of it but ordinary civilians also make use of it. This has led to the reduction of people losing their way when trying to navigate roads they are not familiar with.
According to Mr Gora, the law forbids motorists from using mobile phones in any form while driving, as it can lead to an accident. The use of mobile phones to text and receive calls can lead to an accident, yes, but not when it’s used for navigation. Google maps give audio directions so most times the driver might not have to look at his phone after putting in his destination.
The Nigerian Authorities have a way of trying to frustrate the use of technology amongst its citizens. There’s a case of the extra charges almost placed on using USSD codes, extra charges on Pos transactions, social media ban bill and now stating the use of google maps while driving as a serious traffic offence.
“If you are arrested this period, you will not just pay fines but must be taken for emotional evaluation test in the hospital to ascertain your mental fitness before we let go,” Mr Gora said during the inauguration of the 2019 Ember Months Campaign by Lugbe Unit Command of the FRSC in Abuja on Wednesday.
This makes you ask if the Nigerian Authorities have a thing against making life easier for its citizens?