The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has responded to 1,409 road traffic crashes and rescued 670 accident victims across the state within nine months. In a statement signed by the Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, the authority said the figures, disclosed over the weekend, underscored its commitment to protecting lives, reducing crash-related casualties and strengthening emergency response mechanisms across Lagos.
The statement said LASTMA operatives were routinely deployed to crash scenes to conduct preliminary assessments, rescue victims, manage traffic diversions and prevent secondary collisions. It added that the interventions also helped reduce congestion, restore traffic flow and ensure unhindered access for other emergency response agencies. The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to improving its incident-response capabilities, intensifying public enlightenment and promoting strict compliance with traffic regulations.
He emphasised that “prompt incident reporting and effective inter-agency collaboration remain indispensable to reducing casualties and enhancing road safety outcomes.” Bakare-Oki urged motorists to observe prescribed speed limits, obey traffic signals, wear seat belts and ensure their vehicles were roadworthy. He also warned against distracted driving and reckless manoeuvres, stressing that “defensive driving and responsible motoring remain fundamental safeguards against preventable road traffic crashes.”
The LASTMA general manager called on private motorists, commercial transport operators, dispatch riders and pedestrians to exercise greater vigilance, obey traffic directives and promptly report road crashes, obstructions and other incidents requiring intervention. He urged road users to report such incidents through the authority’s toll-free short code, 3367, reiterating that “road safety demands collective responsibility and an unwavering commitment from every road user.”
According to the statement, LASTMA personnel coordinate rescue efforts with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and other relevant first responders. Bakare-Oki noted that road traffic crashes frequently result in fatalities, debilitating injuries, economic losses and lasting emotional trauma for affected families.
He maintained that “strict adherence to traffic regulations, regular vehicle inspections and prudent driving practices are essential to mitigating these devastating consequences.” LASTMA reiterated its commitment to proactive incident response, inter-agency collaboration and sustained road safety advocacy, urging all road users to adopt responsible conduct and prioritise the protection of human lives.
