Speed Limit signs are not Toys on the Road

As a driver, being observant is a necessary “skill” to possess. So, I’m going to assume that you have noticed that speed limits vary from road to road. Now, if you have not noticed, now you know. 

Ever wondered why this is so?

Speed limits in Nigeria are set based on what is thought to be the safest speed to travel in a given area, keeping in mind the flow of traffic in such an area. This is to ensure the safety of both drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Though states, cities, towns, and even streets are at liberty to set speed limits, there are general guidelines that guide it, and they are:

1. On arterial roadways, which are roadways that link or connect major cities or towns, are popularly known in Nigeria as “Express”, there is a sustained higher speed limit because there are fewer access points.

2. On Collector roadways, which are roads that link places within a city. They have more access points, therefore, they have more balanced speed limits to allow for easy control.

3. Finally, local roadways, are neighborhood roads with lots more access points, therefore, they would have lower speed limits.

I remember when I learned how to drive, the unofficial lesson. My dad sat in the front passenger seat and I in the driver's seat. We would usually head to this lonely street every Saturday morning, it was what I would call a ritual to welcome the weekend. I remember this now because there was this day when it rained, but Daddy dearest was not breaking the ritual for anything. He said, “When it rains, won’t you drive? Don’t be scared, I’ll be there with you”. It was because of the rain that I noticed that this street we had been driving on for over a month had a speed limit of 30 mph. I had been driving at about 80 mph each time I drove there. Now, before this, I was disturbing Daddy dearest to finally get me registered with an actual driving school, that I was ready to get my license and hit the road. It was on this day that he explained to me that his reason for not getting me enrolled yet, was because I was an unobservant driver, who couldn’t take note of a simple speed limit sign.

Most motorists drive at speed limits that they are comfortable with, completely, completely ignoring the set limits. Now, these are the dangers involved; actually, there is one major one, ACCIDENTS. You could run into another vehicle or even a tree or worse still, a pedestrian. Avoid accidents by simply obeying set speed limits.

Posted speed limits and their signs are not toys or roadside adornments for decorative purposes, they are law and must be obeyed. DRIVE SAFELY!