BY SAMUEL TYOTSUA & MUIZ ADESHINA, Lagos
Following the revelation that not less than 69 individuals died and 246 others have been injured in highway crashes throughout Lagos State between January and March 2026, residents of the state have careworn the pressing want to mix public schooling and enforcement with sensible measures to curb deaths from crossing of busy highways by pedestrians.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) had earlier revealed that over 1,006 highway crashes, 87 deaths and 666 accidents have been recorded throughout the state between January and September 2025.
LEADERSHIP Sunday checks on actions of pedestrians round Ojota, Maryland, Ladipo and Ile-Epo raises additional questions on how highway customers navigate busy roads.
Our correspondents noticed that many pedestrians deserted the pedestrian bridges supplied by the federal government in these areas to cross busy highways.
A pedestrian, Mariam Okafor, advised LEADERSHIP Sunday that some individuals cross busy highways as an alternative of utilizing obtainable pedestrian bridges as a result of they imagine strolling immediately throughout the highway would assist them attain their locations extra shortly.
She warned that the choice may endanger not solely the pedestrians concerned but additionally different highway customers who could be caught up in an accident regardless of having no function in inflicting it, saying the federal government should implement its regulation banning crossing of highways the place pedestrian bridges are supplied.
Okafor additionally expressed concern about kids who imitate adults crossing busy roads slightly than utilizing designated pedestrian services. She referred to as on dad and mom to show kids acceptable road-safety practices and urged the federal government to supply crucial assist and services for site visitors administration and road-safety personnel.
Another pedestrian, Abiodun Tunji, mentioned he had witnessed harmful conditions on highways and expressed concern about individuals who disregard obtainable security measures.
Tunji argued that pedestrian bridges have been supplied to guard lives and that folks ought to use them the place they’re obtainable and accessible. He acknowledged the efforts of presidency and site visitors enforcement personnel however referred to as for stronger enforcement to discourage unsafe crossing practices.
He additionally recognised that duty for highway security can not relaxation on pedestrians alone, noting that authorities should deal with areas the place crossing services are absent, insufficient or tough to entry.
The considerations usually are not restricted to the areas visited for this report.
Meanwhile, the residents lamented distance to some bridges, tough stairs, poor lighting and safety considerations, saying encouraging bridge use might require not solely enforcement but additionally consideration to the accessibility, upkeep and safety of the services.
Speaking on the causes of highway crashes and different carnages ensuing from careless crossing of the freeway by pedestrian ,a Senior Law Enforcement Traffic Superintendent with LASTMA, Idowu Oluwatoyin, recognized dangerous highway surfaces, potholes, refuse dumped on roads, reckless driving, impatience amongst motorists and defective automobiles, together with brake failure, as main dangers.
She defined that harmful highway situations can worsen the dangers confronted by motorists and pedestrians, and disobedience to site visitors rules and resistance to enforcement can complicate efforts to stop crashes and handle their aftermath.
Oluwatoyin mentioned LASTMA submits month-to-month photographic reviews on failed parts of roads to the Ministry of Transportation, which liaises with the Ministry of Public Works for palliative work or reconstruction. She mentioned the company additionally deploys rescue groups across the clock to help accident victims and take away deserted or broken automobiles that hinder site visitors.
According to her, LASTMA personnel additionally alert motorists to harmful highway sections, sensitise highway customers and apprehend drivers who journey towards the route of site visitors.
She recognized the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway as a high-risk hall due to the heavy quantity of automobiles utilizing the route. She mentioned the company diverts site visitors when crashes happen and works with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency to revive site visitors circulate and assist emergency response.
Oluwatoyin, who famous that enforcement work is just not with out challenges, recognized resistance to arrest, abusive language, disobedience to officers’ directions and, in some instances, bodily assault of personnel as difficulties confronting site visitors managers.
According to her, car breakdowns, highway repairs and construction-related congestion may also enhance frustration amongst highway customers and make site visitors administration tougher.
She defined that automobiles apprehended for site visitors offences are taken to a LASTMA zonal yard, the place a General Duty Officer attends to the driving force and applies the suitable penalty primarily based on the offence.
She referred to as for normal public enlightenment, stricter enforcement of site visitors rules, accountable conduct by industrial transport operators, disciplined motorists, improved highway upkeep and driver coaching.
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