In recent times, the city of Ibadan has seen obvious improvement in traffic infrastructure. Yes, strategic points across the city from Agodi Gate to Bodija, Dugbe to Sango to UI are now marked by functioning traffic lights, a once-rare sight in the diverging metropolis. The Oyo State Government led by Seyi Makinde and through various urban development schemes, has made these installations a bottomline of efforts to bring order to Ibadan’s chaotic traffic scene. However, while the lights shine bright, old habits die hard.
Many motorists, particularly commercial minibus (Micra) drivers and motorcyclists (okada riders), have continued to ignore the road signals, often speeding through red lights without a second thought. Their actions, observers say, are not only endangering their lives but also undermining the very progress the city is trying to achieve. Some days ago, two separate accidents within hours of each other laid bare the urgent need for behavioral change and stricter enforcement. One occurred near the International Conference Centre (ICC), the other happened in front of First Bank beside the University of Ibadan main gate, a location that now has a functioning traffic signal but continues to witness reckless and active disobedience which has made the place a devil’s juncture.
At the UI gate, the situation was particularly troubling. An okada rider, carrying two passengers without helmets, sped through a red light and rammed into a black Corolla emerging from the opposite direction. The impact was very brutal. “It was terrifying,” said a student who witnessed the crash. “People had to rush to lift the bike off one of the passengers.” Thankfully, there were no recorded fatalities, but the injuries were serious enough to require emergency attention. But you know, it won’t stop another accident from occurring the next day.
Unfortunately today, these incidents are far from isolated. Across Ibadan, the installation of traffic lights, while commendable is being intentionally sabotaged by a rooted entrenched culture of traffic lawlessness. While the roads may now have structure, the mindset of many road users remains stuck in a chaotic past. Obviously, the Oyo State Government has made genuine efforts. Traffic officers have been deployed and the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) has increased its visibility at strategic junctions. But despite these steps, the problem persists aggressively, not because the infrastructure is lacking, but because road users simply refuse to obey it.
The infrastructure is improving, yes, but the attitude of road users hasn’t caught up. There’s this dangerous sense of impunity. Without serious consequences like expensive fines, arrests, or loss of licenses, the culture of disobedience will continue to grow beneath the surface of progress. However, beyond this sheer lawlessness, some of the defiance dams from a web of irrelevant excuses that drivers themselves absolve. For many Micra drivers, who earn by the trip, every red light is a delay, a lost opportunity to pick up another passenger. Time, in their world, quite literally translates to money. Okada riders, on the other hand, often justify running red lights by citing their maneuverability, the belief that their bikes are “mobile” enough to weave through danger or escape enforcement. Others blame poor “visibility” of the lights, the absence of traffic officers at late hours, or even confusion over newly installed signals that haven’t been properly introduced with public education. There’s also a popular notion among commercial drivers that “if everyone is doing it, why should I be the only one to stop?” Imagine!
These excuses may feel “valid” to the road users who give them, but they are far from justifiable or meaningful. Every reckless decision is a gamble with human lives. For serious change to occur, enforcement must be firm and consistent. More traffic wardens and security personnel need to be positioned at busy intersections. Mobile traffic courts should be created and empowered to prosecute offenders on the spot, sending a message that traffic laws are not mere suggestions but binding rules. Equally important is public education. Awareness campaigns must not just focus on the legality of obeying traffic signals but also highlight the human cost of violations. These campaigns should be centered in both English and Yoruba to ensure they connect with a broader demographic, especially among commercial drivers.
Also, there’s also a strong case for community involvement. Unions such as the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and okada rider associations wield significant influence over their members. If these bodies take it upon themselves to discipline errant members or enforce internal compliance, it would go a long way in reducing violations. Government policies will always fall short when the communities they are meant to serve are not carried along. Furthermore, Ibadan should also begin integrating more technology into its traffic system like Lagos is doing. Surveillance cameras, especially at high-risk junctions, would help track and penalize offenders after the fact. Automated systems could also help reduce the burden on human enforcement officers and ensure impartiality in punishment.
Finally, the blind can see Ibadan is undoubtedly improving. From smoother road networks to public transport reforms, the signs of urban renewal are quite evident on the roads, but without behavioral change and responsibility on the roads, that progress remains fragile. Every red light ignored is not just a breach of the law, it is a threat to lives, to the order the city is striving for, and to the future of a more organized Ibadan. Hence, as the city evolves, so must its people. Especially those behind the wheels and handlebars. Because no matter how many traffic lights you install, a reckless driver will always find a way to run through them, unless there are consequences. If Ibadan fails to address this culture of disobedience, it risks becoming a city where development glows red, only to be ignored.
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