The number of accidents recorded on Third Mainland Bridge since its repair is unprecedented and caused by impatience and indiscipline, the federal controller of works in Lagos State, Olukorede Kesha, said.

In an interview with journalists on Sunday in Lagos, Ms Keisha urged motorists to exercise caution and discipline on the bridge, especially during the Christmas season, to reduce accidents. 

“The number of accidents that have been recorded on Third Mainland Bridge since we did this repair is unprecedented, and the cause of these accidents is impatience and lack of discipline. 

“People just see a well-tended road and want to speed past the speed limit; in the process, they hit themselves,” she said.

Ms Keisha said discipline and patience by motorists on the bridge would preserve the bridge.

She said some portions of the newly asphalted road had been damaged due to accidents caused by reckless driving. 

“We have several portions that are bad already because a lot of vehicles got burnt there; when they hit themselves, sometimes, it sparks,” she said.

Ms Keisha also appealed to motorists to stop driving with worn-out tyres, saying that doing so would increase the risk of accidents. 

“We want to tell motorists and Lagos residents in general that we have increased surveillance on Third Mainland Bridge, so you are free to park and change your tyres. 

“If we see you driving with an ordinary rim, you will be apprehended, and you will be locked up, and we do not want to do that,” Ms Keisha said.

The controller urged motorists to drive within the approved speed limit to avoid accidents and save lives, private property and public infrastructure. 

According to Ms Keisha, the contractor handling the bridge repair has not left the site and, as such, is still repairing portions recently damaged by accidents. 

She said, “ Once he leaves, we may start seeing potholes developing unless drivers obey the rules.”

Ms Kesha said that the Third Mainland Bridge repair was around 90 per cent completed, adding that the remaining significant task on the project was the installation of control room cameras. 

(NAN)