Zebra crossing, jay driving and jay walking

BASICALLY, Zebra Crossings are part of road furniture. Over the years, there appears to be a redefinition of the white stripes on our tarred roads, a clear departure from what obtained in the past. These alternating black-and-white stripes that run across from one side of the road to the other in the manner of a Zebra’s coat now merely serve aesthetic purposes. Motorists would rather stop for cattle, chickens, dogs and other stray animals than have regard for human lives.

The origin of Zebra Crossings dates back to over 2000 years ago, as can be seen in the ruins of Pompeii. It is one of the marked pedestrian crossings or crosswalks often found at intersections designated for pedestrians to cross a road across the flow of vehicular traffic otherwise unsafe without assistance. It is one of the basic highway codes which is usually more helpful to vulnerable persons such as children, aged, sick, feeble, persons with disabilities, etc.  Motorists and bikers are expected to reduce their speed upon approaching same to allow pedestrians cross the road.

Rules govern the usage of the pedestrian crossings for the maintenance of a peaceful and safe interaction between humans and vehicles. Of note, it serves as nerves calming measure with motorists compelled to take a break before hitting the road again. Even at night, in some locations, there are amber coloured globes placed atop zebra-striped poles beside zebra crossings, to caution motorists and bikers. Of great concern is the habit of most pedestrians ignoring zebra crossings and crossing a road at a place other than a regular crossing in a heedless manner. It is regarded as ‘jay walking’. This constitutes a violation of pedestrian traffic laws. Such pedestrians not only encourage disregard for zebra crossings since motorists would no longer feel under obligation to obey the regulations governing freeways, service lanes, and arterial roads that have zebra crossings, but also put other road users in danger.

‘Jay driving’ refers to the act of driving with disregard for traffic rules, driving on the wrong side of the road or through a stop sign. Hence, driving schools, law enforcement agencies and even road users have major roles to play in curbing this anomaly.

This is important since the mistake or carelessness of one motorist could cause scores of other motorists and road users untold hardship, broken limbs, death, wreckage, traffic etc. So, you may want to ask: would you disregard a zebra crossing knowing that same benefits the feeblest in our community who should be accorded supreme consideration simply because you get a slap on the wrist for default? Thus, before you complain about corruption, you may need to reflect on those little conducts of yours that are despicable.

This discourse will be incomplete without a précis of the relevant statutory provisions on zebra crossings; though, like disregard of zebra crossings by motorists, enforcement is lacking! A minimum of six meters is the recommended distance between a motorist and a pedestrian on the zebra crossing. Hence, it is inappropriate to park on the zebra crossing. Likewise, it is prohibited to overtake a vehicle that stopped to allow pedestrians to cross. Succinctly, a driver’s licence holder may be issued a warning, suspension of licence or outright revocation of licence upon conviction by a court of law or by having cumulative penalty points usually allotted to traffic offences accumulated in a driver’s record.

Of note, the Notice of Offence Sheet made pursuant to Sections 10(4), 28(2) of FRSC Act 2007 and Regulation 143 of NRTR 2012 provides for a penalty of N5,000 and 5 points penalty for ‘Road Marking Violation’. Remarkably, the Lagos State Road Traffic Law 2012; Schedule I listing Traffic Offences and Penalties stipulates a fine of N20,000 for a first offender  and N30,000 for subsequent offender for failure to yield to right of way of pedestrians at a Zebra Crossing.

Considering the traffic demands of the festive season wherein our roads are flooded with overjoyous fun-seekers, drunk drivers, travelers, returnees from abroad, visitors to cities, persons test running new cars, not forgetting frustrated persons awaiting end of recession, sanctions must be meted out on those who breach traffic regulations regardless of who the defaulters may be. It is in this regard that mobile courts are recommended across the federation to checkmate traffic offences, since the primordial necessity of man moving daily within space and time in search of a source of livelihood will continue to result in vehicular and human traffic.

It is expected that the markings on roads would suffice to indicate zebra crossings, but since that is not the case, concerted efforts should be made towards constructing flood light, beacons traffic light and positioning traffic officers around zebra crossing areas. Lastly, prompt repainting of the white paint on zebra crossings once they peel-off is desirable.

• Ogunjobi, an attorney, wrote in from Lagos