- In Nigeria, the maintenance of public roads is not a strong suit for the government.
- As such, Nigerian roads are always in terrible conditions, making it hard for drivers to easily navigate their routes.
- However, there are tips for navigating pothole-ridden roads in Nigeria and cars that can do that effortlessly.
Potholes impact the society negatively in so many ways. For instance, potholes contribute significantly to the damage to cars that ply roads. It causes traffic gridlocks. It causes road accidents and leads to car robbery.
Table of Contents
However, as car owners in Nigeria, there are some strategies that we need to employ to survive the menace of potholes on our roads.
Below, we have listed the top tips to practice when driving through Nigerian bad roads:
- Fit Your Car With Bright Headlights
Make sure that your car is fitted with reasonably bright headlights. At nighttime, this will enable you to spot potholes ahead of you in good time. The consequence of not spotting potholes early enough could be dire. It can cause a driver to step on the pedal suddenly. Then can cause him to be hit at the rear by a trailing car, etc.
- Reduce Your Driving Speed
Reduce your speed when you are driving on an unfamiliar road. This will ensure that you don’t drive too fast into a pothole that wasn’t detected on time. The impact of driving too fast into potholes can cause damage to your car suspension or another mechanism.
- Always Have a Spare Tyre and Jack
Potholes can impact negatively on your car suspension system. However, the tires are often the worst hit by potholes. There can be instant damage to car tires that drive suddenly into a pothole. It is for this reason that it is always advised to have available a spare tire and jack when this situation presents itself.
- Avoid Tailgating Other Drivers
Tailgating is when one drives too close to a car that is ahead of it. When you tailgate, you lose the opportunity to spot a pothole early enough to stir off the course of the pothole. So learn to keep a reasonable distance between you and the car ahead of you.
- Avoid Driving at Night
Driving at night is dangerous for several reasons. One reason is that your vision is impaired by the dark. This causes you to be unable to spot dangerous situations ahead of you early enough. For instance, dangerously situated potholes may not be easily spotted early to avoid them. For motorists who commute frequently at night, you must fit your vehicle with very bright headlights.
- Buy Good Quality Tires
Fit your cars with high-quality tires. Good quality tires can withstand the impact of constantly driving into potholes, and make your driving experience more bearable.
Top 5 Cars That Can Easily Navigate Nigerian Bad Roads
There are top-performing automobiles in Nigeria. However, they are not affordable like the regular sedans in Nigeria. However, Nigerian roads are usually pothole-ridden, as such, you would need a car with superb off-road capabilities that is suitable for driving safely.
The following vehicles are the toughest vehicles that will withstand the harsh Nigerian roads since they were built to run on extreme terrain. They include:
- The Mercedes-Benz G Wagon
An acute-front G-Class Mercedes-Benz is one you should take into consideration when buying a car meant for long and rough journeys through the country. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is regarded as the finest vehicle in its class for Nigeria’s challenging driving conditions.
Mercedes-Benz vehicles are well known for making both drivers and passengers feel comfortable while travelling, and the G-Class is regarded as the best car in the stable for navigating Nigeria’s challenging driving conditions. Although it has a low and high price tag, the owner will undoubtedly be happy with all the luxury the automobile offers.
- The Toyota Sequoia
In Nigeria, demand for the Toyota Sequoia is rising. The Toyota Sequoia is becoming more and more well-liked in Nigeria as a result of its ability to function effectively in any kind of road situation there. Additionally, it has a sizable cabin that can accommodate the entire family. Last but not least, driving this stylish vehicle with an attractive design will make the owner pleased. If you’re looking for a large SUV, the updated Toyota Sequoia is a good choice.
A plethora of standard driver aid systems, like blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control, are included in the 2019 Sequoia’s upscale cabin, which also has large first- and second-row seats. Even on bumpy roads, it’s quiet and comfortable to drive. The Sequoia’s all-new hybrid V6 powerplant, which offers quick acceleration and strong towing capacity with the advantage of a lower fuel cost, is the vehicle’s greatest selling point.
- The Land Rover Range Rover Sport
The most powerful engine is used in Range Rover Sport vehicles, which we have to admit is very practical. Range Rover Sport cars have long been regarded as the greatest off-road vehicles because of their powerful engines, which enable them to withstand difficult terrain like Nigerian highways. You will undoubtedly like driving this powerful SUV, so get it immediately. It has sturdy features, a spacious interior, and cutting-edge technology that would leave any driver speechless when coupled with its excellent ride and handling.
- The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
The Wrangler Unlimited has long-lasting customer satisfaction because of its powerful off-road capability. Jeep is a well-known automaker for those cars that have the best off-road performance everywhere on the globe. The Wrangler Unlimited, one of the most popular cars in Jeep’s lineup, has delighted its consumers for decades with its powerful off-road prowess. The automobile also draws buyers in with its striking appearance.
- The Nissan Pathfinder
The Nissan Pathfinder is renowned for its dependability, spacious body, and high-quality accessories. The Nissan Pathfinder sets itself apart from its lovely city vehicle brothers with its superb off-road capability, which is highly desired both in Nigeria and internationally.
Nearly 30 years after its official debut, the Nissan Pathfinder, which was first designed as a truck-based vehicle, has developed into an SUV with a dependable big body and high-quality equipment.
Conclusion
These are helpful tips for driving on Nigerian roads with potholes. If you want vehicles that will easily navigate those roads, we have also highlighted them above.
