Industrialization has brought with it several benefits that we can almost not think of how life might have been before it. But just like most revolutions and eras, it has its cons going hand-in-hand with its pros. For example, some of the downsides that come with the industrialization of a city are the congestion that follows mass immigration.
For a city like Lagos, the industrial boom led to skyrocketing immigration rates, leading Lagos to become one of the most populated cities in the country. However, once there is congestion, it is only a matter of time before the traffic situation becomes insufferable.
Lagos has become a symbol for traffic congestion that is almost considered a prerequisite for becoming a true “Lagosian.” The way out is thus to find a way to always be one step ahead and not be a victim of a phenomenon you barely have control over.
How, then, can one maneuver this insufferable headache that we have come to know as traffic congestion in Lagos? Dig in!
1. Leave Your Home Early
We know this is probably the most cliché tip, but it is, in fact, the most practical. Congestions are usually caused by many vehicles and pedestrians on the road, all jostling to get to their destinations. Leaving your home early would entail getting to the road before the rest of the city does so and thus would guarantee you would encounter fewer road users. When fewer persons and vehicles are jostling for the road, there is a greater chance of getting to your own destination quicker.
2. Leave Work a little Late
An accomplice to our previous tip is also for you to take a delay before leaving your workplace. The rationale behind this is that the delay would hopefully give other Lagosians and road users the time to get to their destinations and thus rid the road of most of its users. This would thus mean a lesser chance of traffic congestion due to so many users plying the road after the close of work.
3. Make use of Google Maps
Google maps are not just for directions. It is a great tool for monitoring traffic situations. Before setting out from your location, it is a good idea for you to check up on the traffic situation of the roads you are most likely to ply in getting to your desired location. Google Maps should indicate how heavy the traffic is and thus give you an idea for better alternatives.
4. Traffic Radio & Updates
The traffic situation in Lagos has given rise to some innovations, one of which is the traffic radio on 96.1FM. This is a radio service dedicated to traffic updates and monitoring. Other platforms harness communities and crowd-sourcing efforts to supply real-time traffic updates. You could consult these great tools before setting out and even while stuck in traffic. In addition, they serve as great advisories in helping you determine what road to go into and, if need be, which roads to avoid.
5. Try out shortcuts
Shortcuts are a great way to circumvent terrible traffic situations. If you are quite familiar with streets and n-roads, shortcuts might be your way out of an energy-sapping traffic jam. However, in taking shortcuts, you must ensure you know the streets you might want to venture into.
6. Ditch your car
The presence of too many cars in Lagos is one of the greatest contributors to the insane traffic situation. Lagos is touted to hold the country’s highest number of registered cars. On some days, you could opt for the BRT buses, which have dedicated routes and might actually be faster for you, save for the occasional bus queues. One less car would mean one less car to struggle for road usage with.
7. Use the ferries
The ferries are one way you can escape the traffic situation, especially when you are in locations such as Ikorodu and have to get to the Island. The good thing about the ferries is that you can actually go with your car and get ferried across.
8. Motorbikes
Motorbikes, popularly known as “Okadas,” are the speedboats of the Lagos traffic jams, and rightly so. Their slender frames give them the advantage of squeezing into spaces bigger vehicles cannot fit in, affording them superiority over most traffic jams. Unfortunately, with the State Government’s introduction of the new traffic policy, commercial motorbikes were declared illegal in most locations. However, there are yet certain locations in which okadas are still very much in use. For these locations, you are certain of getting to your location faster and a cheaper traffic alternative brought about by these motorbikes.
Final Thoughts
Traffic congestion sounds like casual, necessary evils we can’t do without until we find ourselves paying dearly for tardiness caused entirely by a terrible traffic situation. Yet, some days, getting ahead of the traffic and finding your way through might be the difference between you making that very important appointment in due time. These tips might come in handy to help save your day on those days when everything might seem so bleak.
