The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) responded to 1,409 road traffic crashes and rescued 670 victims between January and September 2026.

LASTMA general manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki said in a statement on Sunday that the figures underscored the authority’s role in safeguarding lives and strengthening road safety across Lagos State.

He said the achievements reflected LASTMA’s commitment to reducing crash-related casualties, ensuring prompt interventions and strengthening incident-response mechanisms across the state’s complex transportation network.

Mr Bakare-Oki said LASTMA operatives were routinely deployed to crash scenes to assess situations, rescue victims, divert traffic and prevent secondary collisions.

He added that the interventions helped reduce congestion, restore traffic flow and provide unhindered access for other emergency response agencies.

The general manager said rescuing 670 victims highlighted the humanitarian dimension of LASTMA’s statutory responsibilities.

He said that, despite hazardous and unpredictable circumstances, LASTMA personnel continued to demonstrate professionalism, vigilance, and dedication while coordinating assistance with other first responders.

The LASTMA boss listed the collaborating agencies as the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Ambulance Service, State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit and Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.

Mr Bakare-Oki reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to strengthening its incident-response capabilities, intensifying public enlightenment and promoting compliance with traffic regulations.

He said prompt incident reporting and effective inter-agency collaboration remained essential to reducing casualties and improving road safety.

Mr Bakare-Oki urged motorists to observe speed limits, obey traffic signals, wear seat belts and maintain roadworthy vehicles.

He also advised them to avoid distracted driving and reckless manoeuvres that could endanger lives.

The general manager urged private motorists, commercial transport operators, dispatch riders and pedestrians to exercise greater vigilance and obey traffic directives.

He advised road users to promptly report crashes, obstructions and other incidents requiring intervention through LASTMA’s toll-free short code, 3367.

Mr Bakare-Oki said road safety required collective responsibility and an unwavering commitment from every road user.

“LASTMA remains resolute in advancing proactive incident response, strengthening inter-agency collaboration and sustaining road safety advocacy.

“The authority urges all road users to embrace responsible conduct and recognise that protecting human lives is both a statutory obligation and a collective moral imperative,” he said.

(NAN)