Lives Lost in Traffic: A National Habit That Claims Human Lives –By Matthew Ma

Last week, I came across an incredible video shared by Ajala Adebola that left me in tears. In this emotional footage, he took it upon himself to assist an ambulance that was struggling to make its way through a congested traffic gridlock. The scene was tense; honking horns filled the air as frustrated drivers were caught in a standstill, oblivious to the urgency of the situation. Ajala began by asking whether there was a genuine emergency at hand, and there was. This realization spurred him into action. He courageously maneuvered his way to the front of the ambulance, passionately imploring fellow motorists to give way. It was heart-wrenching to watch the struggle unfold. I had always assumed that in moments like these, yielding to an ambulance with its sirens blaring would be a universally understood and effortless act of compassion. However, I soon realized how mistaken I had been. Watching the video made me reflect deeply on the challenges faced by ambulance services in Nigeria. It poses the question: What makes it so difficult for many drivers to yield to emergency vehicles? Is it a lack of awareness, an ingrained reluctance to move aside, or perhaps a system that has not effectively communicated the importance of prioritizing the safety of those in urgent need? 

The refusal to yield to ambulances has unfortunately become a pervasive issue in our nation, affecting every Nigerian—directly or indirectly. In many Western countries, the arrival of an ambulance elicits a swift and organized response: vehicles pull over, traffic comes to a standstill, and a clear path is established almost instantly. The right of way for emergency vehicles is broadly honored, upheld by stringent laws, public awareness campaigns, and a deep-rooted sense of civic responsibility. In contrast, the situation in Nigeria is quite different. For example, on March 12, 2022, an ambulance belonging to NISA Premier Hospital, en route to transport a patient, became ensnared in heavy traffic due to extensive fuel queue gridlock on Airport Road, Abuja. Despite the sirens blaring, drivers in the queue did not make way for the ambulance, prompting the doctors to exit the vehicle and appeal to motorists for passage. 

On May 22, 2022, an ambulance carrying a patient to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital was caught in heavy traffic for over 2 hours on a journey that should have taken less than 40 minutes. Upon finally arriving at the hospital, he was pronounced dead on arrival. In another instance, a patient died while being transported in an ambulance from Gbagada General Hospital to LASUTH due to congestion. Similarly, another patient being transferred from a different facility passed away as a result of prolonged delays on Lagos roads. On September 8, 2025, an alarming report from the Agence France-Presse (AFP) shed light on a troubling situation in Lagos, Nigeria. An ambulance, desperately attempting to navigate through the bumper-to-bumper traffic on the Lekki–Epe Expressway, found itself completely immobilized. Despite the wailing sirens piercing the cacophony of honking cars and frustrated commuters, the congested road proved unyielding. The urgency of the moment was palpable, as the ambulance was tasked with transporting a critically ill patient whose life depended on prompt medical attention. 

Although other instances may not always be mentioned in news articles, various incidents have been documented in Nigeria during 2021–2022, including cases in which heavy traffic obstructed ambulances and motorists failed to yield the right of way. Ambulance drivers have recounted experiences in which, despite sounding sirens and activating lights, they were unable to navigate through road congestion on major routes, such as Agege to Ikeja and Gbagada to Mile 12, leading to delays in reaching hospitals. These examples underscore a stark contrast between societies that perceive emergency response as a collective responsibility and those where mistrust, insufficient enforcement of traffic laws, and inadequate road infrastructure have eroded respect for ambulances. This has led to a tragic reversal of priorities. In Western nations, ambulances are seen as symbols of urgency and hope; however, in Nigeria, they often become casualties of the very traffic chaos they are intended to navigate. The question is: why do Nigerians ignore the law requiring them to give ambulances, firefighters, or police the right of way?

The question presented above is complex. It involves several layers of interpretation and considerations that require thorough analysis. First, there exists a profound and justifiable mistrust of authority and emergency signals on Nigerian roads. Many drivers have encountered situations in which vehicles—often belonging to government officials, security escorts, or private individuals—illegally use sirens to evade traffic. This misuse has led road users to question the authenticity of sirens, making it difficult to discern whether a siren signals a genuine medical emergency. As a result, every siren or flashing light is perceived as a potential deception. Second, inconsistent law enforcement significantly contributes to the issue. Nigerian traffic laws explicitly mandate that motorists yield to emergency vehicles; however, penalties for violations are seldom enforced. In the absence of repercussions, road users tend to prioritize convenience over their obligations. When enforcement is either selective or absent, civic responsibility becomes optional, allowing selfish behavior to flourish.

Third, infrastructure deficiencies have contributed to motorists failing to yield to ambulances. For example, some roads in Nigeria are narrow, poorly designed, or in disrepair, leaving motorists with little room to maneuver, even when they are inclined to yield. Persistent traffic congestion, inadequate road planning, and a lack of designated emergency lanes often leave drivers feeling trapped, unsure of how—or where—to pull over safely. Fourth, public awareness is another missing link. In many countries, road safety education emphasizes the sanctity of emergency response and the life-or-death implications of delay. In Nigeria, such sustained public education campaigns are rare. As a result, some drivers do not grasp the gravity of obstructing an ambulance. The siren becomes an irritation rather than a call to collective action.

Fifth, the cultural dimension of Nigeria’s traffic environment is also significant and cannot be overlooked. It often promotes aggression over cooperation, with drivers feeling compelled to defend their lanes fervently, fearing that others will exploit any concession. I recall a moment when I found myself caught in traffic because of impatient drivers. I decided to open my car window and ask one of the drivers why he could not be more patient; if he had been, we could have all moved on by now. He looked me in the eye and replied, “Oga, patience is dead in Lagos.” In this survival-oriented driving culture, empathy is often cast aside, even when it may endanger another person’s life. 

The consequences of failing to yield to an ambulance are profound. Every minute an ambulance is delayed diminishes a patient’s chance of survival, regardless of whether the emergency involves trauma, complications during childbirth, or cardiac arrest. When society comes to accept such delays as the norm, it tacitly condones preventable deaths as collateral damage in everyday life. Another consequence is exacerbated by years of siren misuse by unauthorized vehicles, causing many drivers to question the legitimacy of actual emergencies. While this skepticism is understandable, it cannot rationalize the collective punishment of patients in genuine distress. The moral implications are equally disturbing. A society that cannot momentarily interrupt its daily rush to save a life has lost its sense of shared humanity. No economic hardship or traffic inconvenience can excuse behavior that endangers lives.

The true cost of Nigeria’s failure to provide safe passage for ambulances cannot be quantified in Naira; it is measured in lives quietly lost on congested roads. Each day, ambulances transporting critically ill patients are forced to inch through gridlock, their sirens often disregarded by motorists who view them as mere inconveniences rather than essential lifelines. In medical emergencies, every second counts. A mere delay of a few minutes can mean the difference between life and death for accident victims, pregnant women in distress, or individuals experiencing heart attacks. Yet, on Nigerian roads, these invaluable minutes are routinely squandered as drivers stubbornly refuse to yield, driven by impatience, mistrust, or sheer indifference. This perilous behavior has led to a normalization of preventable fatalities. Even more troubling, it signifies a broader breakdown of civic responsibility. When society collectively neglects to safeguard its most vulnerable members during critical moments, it undermines the very foundation of social trust. 

Altering this narrative requires intentional efforts. Authorities must take strict measures against the misuse of sirens, ensuring that only legitimate emergency vehicles are permitted to use them. Traffic laws need to be enforced consistently, with clear penalties for those who obstruct ambulances. Equally vital is ongoing public education that redefines yielding to ambulances as a moral and civic duty, rather than a mere courtesy. Allowing an ambulance to pass is not just an act of kindness; it reflects our collective vulnerability. Any Nigerian, at any moment, could find themselves in that ambulance. When we fail to give way, we not only block a vehicle but also deprive someone of the opportunity to survive. Today, it may be a stranger trapped in an ambulance; tomorrow, it could be you or someone you love. In a moment, life can shift dramatically, reminding us of how fragile our circumstances can be. Every heartbeat counts, and in just a fleeting moment, everything we take for granted can transform – underscoring the delicate and precious nature of our existence and the connections we hold dear.

Rev. Ma, S. J., is a Jesuit priest and a public policy analyst. He currently writes from Abuja, Nigeria.