Re: Reno Omokri On Anthony Joshua’s Accident

By

Yemi Oke

I read Reno’s reaction on the subject. While not being a road traffic expert, I can’t agree less with his analysis and conclusion.

It is obvious that the trailer was faulty and parked off the track. The reason for its condition is not relevant in this instance. But without exonerating anyone, I assume it (the trailer) couldn’t be towed away ahead of time as it was fully loaded. However, clearly, it was parked off the road.

Ideally, in Ontario, Canada (where I also hold a valid drivers license) and indeed other climes, for instance, the authorities would ensure sound medical attention to victims, including the driver.

The driver would later be arrested, interrogated, tried and jailed for “dangerously-reckless” driving causing human deaths.

Put differently, in my humble view, the driver “killed” those innocent souls untimely. We’re only lucky we didn’t lose Joshua.

Lessons for All: It is a criminal indulgence for anyone to allow a driver to drive you to untimely death. You have a right to caution, stop, or report a potentially murderous driver before he or she kills you (with or without your family) with mindless, reckless driving.

Some Nigerians even allow their drivers to join in drinking alcohol under their watch at a social or other function before mounting the driver’s seat! This is surrendering self to untimely death.

My humble View: The driver must be prosecuted for dangerous driving. Without pre-emptying the ongoing investigation (if at all there was any), given the magnitude of the impact, that ill-fated car couldn’t have been driving below 150km/hr to 180 km/hr, and overtook at a dangerous speed even without clearing his approaching view!

Assuming without conceding that his view was clear, exceeding 120 km/hr or allowing anyone to drive you above 100km/hr to 120 km/hr is an invitation to early graves, even while traveling in a public or commercial vehicle.

We must self-watch and be conscious of our safety. In Yoruba, we say: “Oju ni alakan fi n sori.” The crabs watch over their safety with eyes wide open.

My condolences.

. Professor Oke is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).