Should Traffic Control Be Entertaining?

It is not uncommon to see enthusiastic traffic wardens at some traffic posts in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who engage all the parts of the body to control traffic.

They pass and stop vehicles by hand; head, hips and sometimes, they suspend one of their legs in the air to dictate the flow of traffic.

While the actions thrill motorists and passersby, some observers, nonetheless, ask a pertinent question: Should traffic control be entertaining?

For those observers who love the style, they say what the wardens’ display demonstrates pure patriotism and dignity of labour.

They also note that the traffic controllers subtly entertain the public while discharging their duties.

Mr Eric Osagie, a motorist, who claimed that he had been driving in the FCT for about six years, said that he was always happy anytime he saw such officers at traffic points.

According to him, such moments provide a comic relief for him whenever he is feeling morose because of some hassles at home or work.

“You see, it is interesting that our policemen are taking traffic control to a high level; you don’t see such displays in other parts of the world; these guys are very innovative and must be encouraged.

“Most times, when I am provoked at work or at home, I drive with aggression but once I sight any of these innovative traffic wardens, my mood swings to a positive note,’’ Osagie said.

Another motorist, Mr Ikenna Odogwu, said that the innovative display of the wardens was the best approach to traffic control, particularly in a society such as Nigeria, where many road users were habitually impatient.

“To me, such officers are very productive because they work in tune with what the society needs.

“Most drivers are always in haste and they hardly obey traffic regulations but when they get to points where these wardens are working; they pause and watch. Even the drivers end up been delayed, they still don’t complain,’’ he added.

Sharing similar sentiments, Mr Martin Abaga, a taxi driver, said that the lively traffic wardens were making the best out of a stressful occupation.

He noted that standing in the scorching sun or rain while controlling traffic could be harrowing, adding, however, that if such duty was combined with fun, it would become somewhat enjoyable.

Abaga said that this group of traffic wardens entertained the pedestrians and motorists, adding that they were inadvertently heightening the public interest in the police force as well.

“I remember that a couple of them had been rewarded in the past; there was a time when a custom boss gave out a car to one traffic officer for his dexterity,’’ he said.

Ironically, the police authorities strongly oppose the sentiments regarding the unconventional mode of traffic control, saying that the colourful displays negate the code and ethics of the police force.

Mrs Altine Daniel, the Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, said that the use of gestures such as body language signs or dancing while controlling traffic was in contradiction of the laid-down procedures.

“We have a standard procedure for traffic control and every policeman is expected to follow it.

“When a policeman signals a motorist to stop, it should be clear with his hands; when he signals him to move, the message should be clear with his hands.

“But when you dance and use various parts of your body, it could create confusion or even cause an accident because everybody does not understand these signs; so, we try to discourage it and even sanction officers that do that,’’ she said.

Daniel noted that although the public enjoyed such gesticulations, the people would be quick to blame the police if an accident occurred as a result of misunderstanding from the use of body language in traffic control.

Supporting Daniel’s viewpoint, Mrs Joan Nwagwu, a journalist, said that the use of body language signs to control traffic could cause a lot of distractions.

She said that the underlying motive behind the adoption of such body gestures by some traffic policemen could be a strategy aimed at attracting tips from road users and the public in general.

Nwagwu said that some drivers often took advantage of the seeming joke and humour surrounding such acts to run traffic.

“I don’t think it happens in any other part of the world; driving is a serious business that needs maximum concentration and so is traffic control.

“When traffic wardens twist their hands, kick their legs, roll their necks and spin around, they could lose concentration; such acts should be discouraged,’’ she added.

Mr Ezekiel Gbolahan, a commentator, said that he never had doubts about the abnormality of such methods of traffic control, insisting that there were extant rules of traffic control guiding the work of traffic policemen.

Nevertheless, observers insist that the code of ethics and professional conduct of the police force is paramount and should be upheld by its officers and men at all times.

They say that the traffic wardens’ efforts to ensure road safety and traffic orderliness should always be guided by the code.