By Desire Emmanuel
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Tuesday, October 21, said the authority recorded a total number of 1,667 road traffic accidents between January and September this year apparently caused by reckless driving, excessive speeding, among others.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki said this at the LASTMA Ember Months Stakeholders Forum held in Lagos on Tuesday..
Bakare-Oki disclosed that for the period under review, 87 fatalities were recorded, with a total number of 6,666 persons injured, while 2,442 vehicles broke down on the road.
He said that in 2024, between January and December, 2,051 accidents were recorded while 5,108 vehicles that caused infractions were pulled out on Lagos roads.
He added that in 2024, a total number of 119 citizens died on the road.
”These figures are far more than mere statistics. That is why our call to action on road safety is a vital part of our everyday lives. It is both a strategic necessity and a moral obligation to take action,” he said.
The LASTMA boss also said that between January and September, LASTMA and partner agencies reported over 3,200 traffic incidents.
He noted that nearly 60 per cent of the incidents occurred at non-metro corridors like the Ikorodu Road, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Third Mainland Bridge and Lekki-Ajah Expressway.
On the Ember month stakeholders’ forum, he urged the motoring public to always remember that speed thrills but kills, adding that it was better getting to a place late than never.
”One careless act can cost a lifetime of regrets. If every motorists respect rules and human life, our roads will be safer, traffic will flow better and accidents will reduce drastically.
”Today’s follow-up is more than a meeting; it is a new path for collective responsibility built on collaboration, education and enforcement.
LASTMA stands ready to work with transport unions, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the police, all major responders and the media to ensure the 2025 environment is safe in Lagos.
”Our vision remains unwavering, zero accidents, zero fatalities and zero executions,” he said.
