App launched to solve traffic bottlenecks

Motorist queue to buy fuel in short supply resulting in traffic gridlock following the discovery of contaminated fuel in supply in filling stations across the country, especially in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial hub on February 9, 2022. - Fuel queues has emerged in Nigeria's major cities blamed on unsafe quantity of methanol in petrol imported into the country and resulting in traffic gridlock in different parts of the state as people engage in panic buying of petrol to stockpile the product. (Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP)

[FILES] Traffic situation along Funsho Williams Avenue by Stadium Barracks Bus Stop, Lagos. PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI
Glenwater Limited has launched an application to eradicate constant hazards being witnessed on Lagos roads.

The mobile app, titled ‘Whistle’, utilises crowd-sourced information to achieve several key things such as reporting dangerous vehicles and dangerous driving, reporting traffic congestion and getting the appropriate authorities to clear bottlenecks.

Speaking at the virtual press briefing in Lagos, General Manager, Glenwater (Owners of Whistle App), Temitope Hundeyin, said the application is a purpose-built solution for Nigerians to solve uniquely Nigerian problems.

She said Whistle grew out of trying to address some of the daily frustrations that citizens face, getting about with daily lives.

“We looked at the issue of constant hazards on our roads, the incessant traffic and other social problems that affect our quality of life and we developed a solution that relies on the power of everyday Nigerian to collaborate to make an impact,” she said.

According to her, the app allows users to report accidents, secure aid for accident victims and ensure the road is clear for smooth traffic, while it also helps to flag vehicles driving with expired paperwork and instantly notify authorities to issue fines where applicable.

“We refer to our app users as Whistlers; every report submitted by a Whistler is backed by picture or video evidence and then seamlessly escalated to the appropriate authorities to provide a resolution. Part of what makes Whistle unique is that we have integrated a virtual wallet into the app that houses the reward Whistlers receive for filing a report. This means that for reporting a vehicle driving with expired papers, the Whistler will earn a share of the fine paid,” Hundeyin said.

“We are confident that Whistle will save lives. Any Nigerian will be able to quickly alert authorities if they see a vehicle on the road that is likely to cause havoc. The submissions will automatically provide officers with the precise location of the dangerous vehicle. Alerts for traffic congestion and others will work in a similar fashion,” she said.

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