By Izunna Okafor, Awka
When discussing road traffic crashes in Nigeria, the typical culprits are well-known – speeding, drunk driving, poor overtaking, hazardous road conditions, and vehicle malfunctions. However, a less conventional factor deserves urgent attention: the distraction caused by big buttocks.
Though it may initially sound humorous, the reality is that this phenomenon poses a serious threat to road safety in the country. The issue is deeply rooted in cultural aesthetics, societal expectations, and the unintended distractions they can create for drivers, including commercial motorcycle (Okada) and tricycle (Keke) operators.
In Nigeria and many other countries, large buttocks are celebrated and highly admired as a mark of beauty and attractiveness in women. This widespread admiration often leads to unintended distractions on the roads, as it is uncommon for some drivers, particularly men, to resist the urge to look, admire or be momentarily distracted by ladies adorned with such pronounced features, especially when they are walking or standing along the roadside.
Concerningly, some of these women deliberately and strategically position, swing or dangle their buttocks to attract attention, often unaware of the potential consequences of their actions.
Through interviews with shuttle bus drivers and tricycle operators in Awka, including Chibuike Anosike, Jude Chukwukwa, Emmanuel Enukora, and Nnamdi Agwuncha, this reporter has uncovered firsthand accounts of how big buttocks have diverted drivers’ focus while they were behind the wheel. While some reported swerving off the road, others recounted brushing oncoming vehicles or narrowly missing the crushing of school children crossing the road.
These anecdotes, though lighthearted in tone, underscore a serious safety concern. In addition to causing road traffic crashes, big buttocks can also contribute to traffic gridlocks and holdups in various ways.
Notably, the role of big buttocks in accidents is rarely acknowledged in official reports by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), as such distractions are often not captured in eyewitness accounts or considered an official traffic violation.
This oversight highlights the need for the government to recognize the dangling of big buttocks along the road as a serious traffic offense and a threat to public safety. The FRSC could explore data collection on the impact of distractions caused by big buttocks in crashes, which would inform targeted interventions.
While the sensitivity surrounding this issue is understandable, raising awareness and advocating for solutions is crucial. Drivers must be aware that any distraction, including the allure of big buttocks, can have severe consequences. By acknowledging this hidden menace and taking proactive measures, the road safety landscape in Nigeria can be significantly improved.
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