In this feature, BABATUNDE TITILOLA writes about how the surviving victims of road crashes grapple with the invisible wounds of trauma and lingering psychological effects
The events of a rainy day when his whole life flashed before his eyes have remained etched in Olanrewaju Animashaun’s memory.
Before his experience of a road crash, the graduate of banking and finance had heard gory stories of people whose lives were lost in fatal road crashes and he resolved within himself to do anything to prevent it from happening.
To the Nollywood actor, life was too sweet to be lived short until the incident of December 2022 which occurred on his way back from Ibadan to Lagos changed his understanding of life.
Recounting his ordeal to Sunday PUNCH, Animashaun said he was preparing for my birthday, which fell on December 23 at the time and had travelled to Ibadan to attend to a United Kingdom-based client who had asked him to help him check some hectares of land around Moniya.
He recalled, “When I came from Ibadan, I was not speeding as I approached Magboro lay-by in Ogun State. It was a rainy day and suddenly, a trailer came out of nowhere and rammed into my car. My car started spinning out of balance.
“My car hit a commercial urban bus by the trunk and right there, I felt my car would head for the dismount on the other side of the bus stop. At that moment, I learnt a lesson that everything we are and possess and even our life could be taken away from us even when you least expect it.”
Although the commercial bus prevented Animashaun’s car from falling over the Magboro Bridge, the force of the collision threw Animashaun out of his car through the windscreen.
When he stood up, he had lost consciousness and thought he wanted to buy a drink from a roadside vendor. A woman who witnessed the accident and was recording the event approached him.
He was laid down by the culvert on the road and the woman helped him into a tricycle as they made their way into a nearby hospital.
“I had a bruised lip and twisted collar bones but I had a mind of gratitude and a thought of evaluating my loss and solutions. Financially, I was drained because the trailer escaped and nothing could be done about it.
“Before I left the hospital, the police had towed both my car and the commercial bus to their premises and I was told to fix that commercial bus before my car could be released. I spent N600,000 to fix the commercial bus and I later bailed my car too. With police, nothing runs free. I picked up the dilapidated remains of my car and towed it to the panel beater.
“I was happy that it did not claim my life or other people’s lives. God did not allow the accident to hinder any progress but there were huge lessons behind it. And I got the message so loud and clear,” Animashaun added.
He admitted that despite his conviction that having a car is a necessity in his daily activities, he has since the accident lost the zeal to drive.
“The experience restricted my movement for a while. Two of my friends keep their cars but as we speak, I don’t have the zeal to drive anymore even though it has been two years since the accident,” he noted.
Pregnant wife, four kids
Unlike Animashaun who lives to tell his tale, not many road users are that fortunate. The World Health Organisation has said approximately 1.19 million people die every year as a result of road traffic crashes.
This alarming figure is a tragic reality that many Nigerian families grapple with as they have lost their loved ones to road crashes.
Narrating how he lost his younger brother to a road accident, a building technologist, Tor Gabriel, told our correspondent that Donald, a 40-year-old iron bender, died on August 27 last year due to complications resulting from spinal cord injuries.
Gabriel said, “Donald was happily married with kids and left my place after he visited me where I was serving as a pastor in Abuja on August 19. We had an investment in Taraba State.
“He initially wanted to go there to see how things were but later on, he told me that his boss wanted him to be in Asaba in Delta State. I didn’t even know when he later travelled. On Sunday, August 20, I didn’t see him in my church. I didn’t know that he would travel the following day.
“So, on Wednesday, his wife called me and said my brother had left for Asaba but his number had not been reachable. They called people in Asaba but they said they hadn’t seen him. I asked if he told her where he was going particularly and she explained.
“I informed our other brothers and sisters and we started calling him but his number was not going through. I went to the park and police stations around where he would usually take a bus to learn if there was any case of kidnapping or accident.”
It was not until Thursday that Donald was discovered in a hospital after he was involved in a road accident. A week later, he died after suffering complications from spinal cord injuries.
Fighting back tears, Gabriel added, “On Thursday evening, my phone rang and the voice said they found him in Kwali following an accident. They said the people in the hospital refused to treat him because they did not know any of his relations. He was just lying down there. We learnt that most of the people in the accident died and they were only waiting for my brother to die too.
“That was why they just kept him. It was on that Thursday that we went to the hospital and took him to another hospital in Gwagwalada. A week later, he died. The wife was with him till he died. She was even pregnant during that period. She is a trader.
“While he was in the hospital, we spent millions of naira within that one week because the accident affected his spinal cord. We spent a lot to the extent that I had to auction one of my cars.”
Gabriel bemoaned how he now bears the burden of Donald’s four children and his wife who had since delivered another baby.
“The whole thing is on my neck now that he is late. I have been the one taking care of his wife and the children. So, I am more like a man of two wives now,” he added.
Our correspondent gathered that while some victims of road accidents made it in time to the hospital, others lost their lives at the scene of the accident.
There are also cases of those who make it to the hospital alive but eventually lose their lives before or while receiving treatment.
According to a health practitioner, James Oladejo, medical emergencies resulting from road accidents are carefully dealt with as they can become complicated easily. This, he said, is due to underlying health conditions which may be unknown to the first responders.
“We are always careful how we approach victims brought after road accidents, especially if they are unconscious. If they are still conscious, we can ask them if there are health conditions that might affect whatever treatment we give them,” he added.
Oladejo said road accidents are a major case in hospitals, adding that the everyday cases brought in for treatment are indications that road safety is yet to improve.
On the behaviour of relatives who care for the victims housed in the hospitals for treatment, he said, “They have no choice but to abide by what the hospital says about the treatment of the victim. They may be sad but as long as the patient is still breathing and reacting positively to treatment, there is hope. So, making sure that money is made available for proper and continuous treatment is their major duty. They can also pray if they wish to.”
Alarming rise in road crashes
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps’ Statistical Digest for the Fourth Quarter of 2023, a total of 2,717 crashes were recorded, with serious cases accounting for 1,772, while fatal and minor incidents stood at 687 and 258, respectively.
Comparing these figures to the previous quarter, the National Bureau of Statistics revealed a significant 24.23 per cent increase in total crashes.
The data outlined a concerning trend, with the report stating that “The total number of road traffic crashes in Q4 2023 was 2,717, indicating an increase of 24.23 per cent from the previous quarter (Q3) which recorded 2,187 and 33.12 per cent decrease from 3,617 in Q4 2022. Of all crashes, serious cases stood top in Q4 2023 with 1,772 compared to fatal and minor cases with 687 and 258 respectively.”
The Bureau noted, “A total of 1,104 males were killed in Q4 2023, accounting for 83.45 per cent of 1,323 persons killed, compared to 219 (16.55 per cent) females killed. Also, a total of 6,929 males were injured during the period, indicating 76.01 per cent of 9,116 injured persons compared to 2,187 (23.99 per cent) females injured.
“A total of 4,195 vehicles were involved in road traffic crashes in Q4 2023, higher compared to the previous quarter which recorded 3,371, indicating an increase of 24.44 per cent.
“The North-Central recorded the highest number of crashes in Q4 2023 with 905, followed by the South West with 650, while the South-South had the least with 141. Similarly, the North-Central recorded the highest number of casualties with 3,152, followed by the North-West with 2,550, while the South-South recorded the least with 412.”
The WHO, in December 2023, said apart from the 1.19 million people who die from road accidents yearly, between 20 and 50 million more suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring one disability or the other.
It said, “More than 90 per cent of road traffic deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Road traffic death rates are highest in the WHO African Region and lowest in the European Region.
“Even within high-income countries, people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to be involved in road traffic crashes. Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged five-29 years. Two-thirds of road traffic fatalities occur among people of working age (18-59 years). Males are typically three times more likely to be killed in road crashes than females.”
The organisation further noted that road traffic injuries cause considerable economic losses to individuals, their families, and countries as a whole.
Survivors with physical disabilities
Among the scars that road accident crashes can leave on their survivors is a permanent disability. One such example is 25-year-old Oluwatoyin Akanni.
Akanni had a passion for journalism, but after surviving a fatal car accident, the potential challenges she could face in the field as a journalist made her choose a different career path.
The native of Ede, Osun State, told Sunday PUNCH how she lost her right leg to a road crash in 2022 and resorted to the use of a prosthetic limb.
She said, “It occurred in 2002 while we were returning from a programme. It was a 16-passenger bus, and the accident resulted in the loss of my right leg. In the twinkling of an eye, my life took an unexpected turn. I now use a prosthesis.
“My physical disability significantly influenced my career choices and professional aspirations. It deterred me from pursuing my passion for journalism as I encountered discouragement from one of my teachers who could only envision the challenges and stress I might face in the field as a person with a disability.
“Growing up as an amputee was challenging for me. I faced a lot of painful experiences and obstacles. Also, I occasionally struggled to fit in and always felt different from my peers.”
However, with motivation from friends and families, the graduate of Agricultural Economics and Extension has adopted a means of earning a living.
“I am a writer, speaker, and Smartphone graphics designer. I am learning photography and I am also an entrepreneur. I run a small-scale business where I sell liquid soap, detergent, data, and charcoal,” Akanni added.
Families, caregivers’ griefs
Findings by Sunday PUNCH showed that road crashes also negatively impact relatives of deceased victims.
For instance, a 33-year-old mother of four, Ifesinachi Eucharia told our correspondent that she had yet to get over the death of her brother after he was hit by a motorcycle, and had been advised to consult a psychiatrist for help.
On March 11, Eucharia’s brother, Chimauche Onuoha, fell off a motorcycle after he was hit by another motorcycle on his way to the Malaysian market along the Umuahia-Onuimo Expressway in Imo State.
The 27-year-old suffered bruises around his arm and ankle but eventually died from severe complications.
Speaking of his death, Eucharia said, “I felt pained and cried bitterly. I started feeling sharp pains in my chest. I have done an Electrocardiogram, known as an ECG, and recently, I have been advised to see a psychiatrist because I can’t stop crying every day. It feels like I am losing my mind. I am in denial even today. I have not gotten over it.
“His girlfriend was my former house girl before they met and started dating. She gave birth exactly one month after my brother passed on, on April 17, 2024. The baby was on life support for about a week. The baby suffered a hole in the heart and kidney failure. But to the glory of God, an x-ray showed that the hole in the heart came out negative, as did other tests.”
Similarly, a grill shop owner in Ibadan, Sunday Ishola told our correspondent, that he still celebrates her sister, Toyin’s birthday, since she died in a road crash in 2018.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that Toyin was on her way to visit her friends around Bodija when a speeding vehicle hit the motorcycle she was on.
She was rushed to a nearby hospital but died a few hours later, throwing her family into mourning. Toyin, who was learning fashion designing, had just completed her secondary school education when she died.
In an emotion-laden tone, Ishola described how the family navigated the loss, stating that they still feel as though her demise happened yesterday.
“We have not gotten over it. She was the most loved child of my parents. Losing her was hard on them. We all had big expectations from her. I miss her so much but there is nothing I can do about what happened,” he added.
Survivors struggle with mental health issues – Psychotherapist
Commenting on the valence of mental health issues, many survivors of road crashes struggle with, a psychotherapist, Michael Jacob, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, said, “Many survivors experience post-traumatic stress disorder. This includes flashbacks, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the accident.
“They might find themselves avoiding driving or even travelling in cars altogether, fearing another accident. Depression is another common aftermath. The sudden disruption to one’s life due to hospitalisation, potential loss of loved ones, or permanent physical disabilities can lead to feelings of sadness.
“Anxiety is also prevalent, not just about driving but about general day-to-day activities. For some, even the sound of traffic can trigger a panic response. This heightened state of alertness can make it challenging to return to a normal routine. Then there’s the issue of survivor’s guilt. This particularly affects those who were involved in accidents where others were injured or killed. Survivors may question why they were spared and feel an overwhelming sense of guilt for being alive.”
Jacob explained that survivors who suffered life-changing injuries like amputations or other severe disabilities face a greater psychological burden compared to those who do not have lasting physical impacts.
He added, “The sudden loss of a limb or severe disability can trigger a profound identity crisis. People may struggle with a new sense of self, living with feelings of inadequacy and a loss of independence.
“Activities that were once second to breathing become daily challenges, and this can be incredibly frustrating. Then there’s the impact on self-esteem and body image. Adapting to a new physical reality means coming to terms with a body that feels foreign.”
According to him, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for reframing negative thought patterns; Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing for processing traumatic memories; joining support groups; engaging in physical therapies, and practising stress-reducing activities like meditation and yoga are helpful recovery methods.
“Defensive driving courses can also be helpful. These courses teach advanced driving skills and safety strategies, giving survivors more confidence and control on the road. Professional counselling is another key piece.
“Lastly, starting with a co-pilot, like a trusted friend or family member, can make a big difference. Just having someone there for support can ease the transition back to driving,” he added.
Govt should invest in alternative transport – Analysts
During an interview, a public affairs analyst, Anthony Amedu, told Sunday PUNCH that the government has much to do to improve road safety.
He said, “From available data on road crashes in recent times, we can say that there has been an increase in road accidents in recent times, especially on major travelling roads like Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. I believe one of the reasons for the increasing number of road accidents is because of the high concentration of road usage.
“There is a need to look for an alternative means of transportation, and one alternative is the train system. If there are fewer vehicles on the road, accidents will be reduced. But the more vehicles on the road, the higher the risk of road accidents. Even for the elite, the government can subsidise the means of air transportation.”
Speaking on the measures, he said the National Orientation Agency must do better in the discharge of their duties in orientating road users on traffic regulations and the reasons why they should be obeyed.
Amedu further stated that the government can implement a tax system that pushes vehicle owners into other alternative means of transportation.
“Look at Lagos State for instance, in a family of four, the four of them go out with four vehicles every day. If there are five families like that, it makes 20 vehicles. The government can make provision for a comfortable 20-seater bus to cover 20 cars.
“So, if the tax system is high, people will be forced to make use of public transport. That also implies that the government should make the public transport system more affordable and comfortable (either commercial buses or trains). This tax system can be formed into a policy, accessed, and implemented,” he opined.
FRSC urges public sensitisation
The Lagos State Commandant of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Patrick Devou, while responding to inquiries from our correspondent, said that major causes of road traffic accidents included human, mechanical and environmental factors, adding that “The human factor like stress, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, speeding, and the use of phone while driving constitute over 85 per cent.”
Devou however noted that public education plays a huge role in reducing road traffic crashes, adding that technology will further enhance the Commission’s service delivery.
He said, “Public education plays a significant role in reducing carnages on the road. The most effective strategy is Early morning cries at motor parks and domesticated public enlightenment in churches and mosques.
“FRSC is leveraging on technology by introducing Laser radar guns that capture the speed of an approaching vehicle, use of digital breathalysers to detest drivers driving under the influence of alcohol. Installation of speed limiting device.
“We have reintroduced lots of strategies in ensuring strict adherence to traffic rules and regulations through sustained public enlightenment by visiting motor parks, churches, mosques, and ‘catch them young campaign’ in schools. We are making progress. We also collaborate with emergency agencies to ensure prompt rescue and clearing obstructions.”