I saw this video of Andy and Esther on Youtube. They were traveling by road from the UK to Africa, an expedition across the Sahara and West Africa sponsored by Toyota.
I commend their courage to go on such expeditions (because I travel a lot and I know what it is like as regards their travel adventures), but I must say that I strongly disagree with their attitude towards the road safety rules.
Every one who leave and travel around Nigeria would agree with me that the country is one place where you really do have to be very careful and cautious if you must sit behind the wheels.
You might want to take a look at this video and you will understand that this couple are a serious danger to fellow road users. The driver Andy was even proud to say in the camera that they have been driving all the way from Morocco without their seat belts. Listening and simply looking at him (his tired look driving all day), I was frightened and I imagined what the situation would look like if there is to be two of his kind on the road.
Driving in Nigeria might be very annoying given that there is a police road block almost every 200 to 500 yards and the police officers tend to ask for money from drivers. But I think that this couples' manner of approach was unruly.
I asked myself why Andy was proud to say in the camera that they have been driving since Morocco without there seat belts. I hope the sponsors of this expedition (Toyota) realises that the man in whom they are investing is a danger to fellow road users.
This article is not meant to be nationalist article but I wonder if Andy and Esther are not taking the African road rules for granted. If he said that they have driven all the way since they got into Africa without their safety belts, it confirms the fact that he is disrespectful to the rules of driving. Why did they not start their expeditions all the way from the UK without their belts.
The police force in Nigeria is about 99% corrupt, yes we all know that, but I can say that the National Road Safety is about 90% far from being corrupt and they are there for the safety of all road users.
I laughed at Andy's statement of being frightened driving on the Nigerian roads. What can be more dangerous as driving without safety belt. Even your co-navigator was relaxed with the idea of driving without safety belts; I must say that you guys are courageous because what you did was suicide mission.
I have travelled far and wide, I have driven in most countries where I have been to, and I can tell you that one thing one should try to respect, is the law enforcing body of a country.
To Andy and Esther, before you complain in your video that Nigeria is the only country where you've been the most frightened to drive, please make sure that every security checks that might make you be in fault have been examined. Then and only then can you criticize others.
Such acts (neglect and disrespect to a law enforcing officer) can only be condoned in Nigeria and the reason you got away with it is because you are a foreigner. If it was to be a citizen who acted the way you did (like saying to the police or road safety officer that you do not have your vehicle's particulars in hand), you know it would be considered as an offence.
Keep traveling safe and try to consider other road users. Anyway, I love your travel blog and your expeditions.
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