By Kazeem Ugbodaga
In a shocking and heart-wrenching incident, a Toyota Camry, bearing the registration number KJA 126 BH, plunged from the upper deck of Otedola Bridge earlier today, leaving the driver critically injured.
The accident, which occurred during the peak of rush hour, has raised urgent concerns over the state of road safety on Lagos’ busiest routes.
Reports from the scene reveal that the female driver, while speeding, abruptly slammed on her brakes upon spotting another vehicle shifting into the service lane ahead of her.
The sudden maneuver, combined with her excessive speed, caused the car to lose control, sending it tumbling off the bridge to the lower level, where it landed in a crumpled heap.
The victim was quickly rescued from the wreckage by LASTMA (Lagos State Traffic Management Authority) officers, with swift assistance from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LSNSC), and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).
Despite the severity of the crash, emergency responders managed to extricate the woman and rush her to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre at the Toll Gate for immediate medical treatment.
LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep concern over the incident, stressing that adherence to speed regulations could have prevented such a catastrophic event. He pointed to this as yet another grim reminder of the dangers of reckless driving on Lagos roads.
“This tragic incident could have been completely avoided if the driver had adhered to speed limits,” Mr. Bakare-Oki remarked.
“Our roads are plagued with accidents due to persistent violations of traffic laws, particularly by drivers who disregard speed limits. We implore all road users to act responsibly and respect the regulations put in place to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.”
LASTMA is calling on all Lagosians to remain vigilant and abide by the state’s traffic laws, particularly the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, which mandates strict compliance with speed limits and other safety protocols.
In his statement, Mr. Bakare-Oki also sent heartfelt wishes for the recovery of the injured motorist, adding that LASTMA remains committed to enhancing road safety across the state.
