The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has cautioned dispatch riders and motorists against impatience and disregard for safety rules following a fatal train accident that claimed one life at the PWD Railway Level Crossing in Ikeja on Thursday.
The tragic incident involved a moving train and a dispatch motorcycle with registration number AGL 179 QR.
According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigations conducted by security personnel at the scene, the dispatch rider was reportedly speeding before the collision occurred.
It was gathered that the rider attempted to hastily cross the railway track in a bid to access the Government Reserved Area (GRA) axis of Ikeja.
Unfortunately, in the process of trying to manoeuvre across the track, he rammed into an oncoming train.
The impact of the collision proved fatal as the rider died instantly, while the train continued on its movement along the rail line.
LASTMA officials, who arrived promptly as first responders, cordoned off the scene to prevent further incidents and ensure the free flow of traffic in the area.
They were joined by officers from the Shogunle Police Division, who also provided security and assisted in managing vehicular movement.
Officials of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) were subsequently contacted and arrived to evacuate the remains of the deceased.
Confirming the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep sadness over the occurrence, describing it as a tragic reminder of the consequences of impatience and reckless behavior on the road.
He urged all dispatch riders and motorists to exercise maximum caution, patience, and discipline, especially around railway intersections across Lagos State.
Mr. Bakare-Oki emphasized that strict compliance with traffic signals, warning signs, and safety directives remains a crucial measure in preventing avoidable road tragedies.
He noted that LASTMA would continue to intensify its public enlightenment campaigns and enforcement strategies aimed at promoting road safety and responsible driving behavior.
The General Manager reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering commitment to ensuring sanity, discipline, and orderliness across all roads in the Lagos metropolis.
The statement was signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq.
