Five Trucks Crashed at Daylight: A Mincemeat of Transportation Reform Law

A containerized truck fell on an SUV car at Ago palace road, from Apple Junction inward Mile 2, Friday, 10th March 2023

The menace to road safety by trucks and articulated vehicles in Lagos State has reached a crescendo which, to even an uncanny observer, is ostensibly intolerable, and unsustainable, and calls for a very drastic approach to confront the cancerous development in preserving the lives of innocent citizens and their properties.

To a large extent, these tippings or falling containers being freighted by trucks on Lagos roads have done monumental damage to the asphaltic roads constructed by the Lagos state government with the taxpayers’ money.

Scientists said roads, especially those made of asphalt are organic matter that reacts in a corresponding manner to the way we treat them.

Hence the notion among experts is that the conditions of our roads are the result of their reaction to the way we use them. A cursory look at the damage to the road by the articulated vehicles on Lagos state roads even without any incident gives no cause to cheer.

While taking a critical look at the incessant spilling/tipping of containers hitting the road abruptly, they have largely been responsible for the prevention of our roads living up to their lifespan.

This in turn will put pressure on government finances as the road scheduled to last for 8 or 10 years before rehabilitation will barely serve half of its lifespan before demanding urgent attention.

**Another truck skidded and lay sideways, Friday, 10th March 2023**

What Occurred on Lagos road this weekend, Friday was a clarion call on the Lagos State Government to take a more drastic look at the menace from truck drivers and their cargoes and come up with a full proof program of putting their menace in check.

On Friday, 10th March 2023, in the state of aquatic splendor, Lagos State, five trucks and articulated vehicles were involved in various life-threatening crashes and the resultant damages to the road. The aspect of damage to the road seems of no consequence to the driver and the truck owners.

Seems it’s anathema, to press a charge for the damaged portion of an asphaltic road and thereafter compel the culprit through the court to pay for the portion of the road damaged in order to effect its repairs. This may be a novel approach, but it is worth giving ventilation.

According to a media statement from the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, LASTMA, within twelve hours on that fateful Friday, 10th March 2023, a total of five articulated vehicles and trucks were involved in various types of crashes in five different locations in the state.

The media statement said the crashes occurred at, (1) Ketu inward Mile 12, (2) Ojuelegba bridge inward stadium in Surulere, (3) under the bridge by Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja, (4) Ago Palace Road and (5) Oke-Afa bridge inward Jakande Estate, Isolo.

At Ago Palace Road, inward Ago Palace from Apple Junction inward Mile 2, a fully loaded 40ft containerized truck fell on an SUV car with registration no EKY 723 OS.

**The truck experienced brake failure hence mounted the kerb with the container seated menacingly on the truck. Friday, 10th March 2023**

According to LASTMA, preliminary investigation revealed the 40ft containerized truck had a break failure and rammed into the SUV car from the rear.

Lastma officials led by Zone 5 ‘Bravo’ Ige Omolaja, confirmed that no any casualty was recorded during the accident.

The four other crashes same day last Friday were confirmed by Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, General Manager, LASTMA, who appealed to motorists particularly truck owners and drivers to always ensure their vehicles are top-notch before embarking on any journey across the State.

The toll from those five accidents on the travel time of Lagosians, avoidable traffic jams, damages to the trucks, the salon cars involved and at times collateral damages to passersby and nearby shops and stalls are often humongous.

Moreover, the existing Lagos State Transportation Reform Law, LTRL. of 2018, has stipulated the timeline for trucks and other high-capacity vehicles to ply the road of Lagos.

However, a cursory look at the time all the accidents of last Friday occurred revealed that aspect of the law was not ventilated and not enforced although it’s enforceable.

WHAT THE LAGOS STATE TRAFFIC LAW SAYS:
Under article 4 of the Lagos State Road Traffic Law, it states inter alia;
(4) Subject to the provision of section 211 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the authority (LASTMA) may prosecute persons reasonably suspected of having committed any offense under the provisions of this Law or any other Law.

2-(1) Control of Trailers:
Save as may be prescribed by the Commissioner by Regulation, no trailer other than petrol tankers and long vehicles used in conveying passengers, shall enter into or travel within the metropolis of Lagos between the hours of 6.00 am – 9.00 pm.

PENALTY:

(2) Any driver who is found contravening the provision of this section shall have his vehicle impounded by a duly authorized officer of the authority and shall upon conviction be liable to a fine of N50,000.00k (Fifty Thousand Naira) or a term of imprisonment for 6 months or both