The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has reported responding to 1,409 road traffic crashes and rescuing 670 victims across Lagos State in nine months. This effort aims to reduce casualties and improve emergency response, ensuring safer roads across the state. LASTMA operatives are deployed to crash scenes to rescue victims, assess incidents, divert traffic, and prevent secondary collisions while facilitating access for emergency responders.
LASTMA's interventions are part of a broader strategy to enhance emergency response and promote road safety. The agency's General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, emphasized the importance of prompt reporting of road crashes and collaboration among emergency response agencies in reducing casualties. He noted that LASTMA personnel work closely with other agencies, including LASEMA, LASAMBUS, and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.
To prevent avoidable crashes, Bakare-Oki urged motorists to observe speed limits, obey traffic signals, wear seat belts, and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy. He also cautioned against distracted driving and reckless manoeuvres, stressing that responsible driving is essential to road safety. The LASTMA boss encouraged all road users to obey traffic regulations and report crashes and incidents through LASTMA's toll-free short code, 3367.
Bakare-Oki highlighted the consequences of road crashes, including fatalities, serious injuries, economic losses, and emotional trauma for victims and their families. He urged road users to exercise caution and take collective responsibility for safety. The agency plans to sustain its rescue operations, inter-agency collaboration, and public awareness campaigns to promote road safety.
LASTMA's efforts to strengthen emergency response and promote compliance with traffic regulations are ongoing. The agency is committed to working with other stakeholders to reduce casualties and improve road safety. Bakare-Oki's call to action emphasizes the need for collective responsibility in ensuring safer roads across Lagos State.
In line with its mandate, LASTMA continues to deploy operatives to crash scenes to provide emergency response and rescue services. The agency's collaboration with other emergency response agencies has been instrumental in reducing the impact of road crashes. By working together, LASTMA and its partners aim to create a safer and more efficient transportation system.
As the agency looks to the future, it remains committed to its goals of reducing casualties and promoting road safety. With a focus on public awareness campaigns and inter-agency collaboration, LASTMA is poised to make a lasting impact on road safety in Lagos State. The agency's efforts have already shown positive results, with 670 victims rescued in nine months.
Key points
- LASTMA rescued 670 victims in 1,409 road crashes across Lagos State in nine months.
- The agency urges motorists to observe speed limits, obey traffic signals, and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy to prevent avoidable crashes.
- LASTMA plans to sustain its rescue operations, inter-agency collaboration, and public awareness campaigns to promote road safety.
