The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, known as LASTMA, has stated that a Toyota Camry bearing the license plate KJA 126 BH went off the upper section of Otedola Bridge and fell onto the lower part below.
Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, the General Manager of LASTMA, revealed this information in an announcement made on Monday in Lagos. The communication was authored by the agency’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Mr. Taofiq Adebayo.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the female driver, while travelling at excessive speed, abruptly applied her brakes upon noticing another vehicle manoeuvring into the service lane ahead of her,” the statement said.
This abrupt slowdown threw her vehicle off balance, resulting in an uncontrolled swerve that culminated in it plunging off the bridge, leaving her severely wounded.
The statement also indicated that LASTMA officials, together with members of the Federal Road Safety Corp, Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps, and the Rapid Response Squad, promptly reached the location.
"The victim was successfully freed from the debris and immediately taken to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Center at the Toll Gate for urgent medical care," the statement noted.
Bakare-Oki highlighted the crucial significance of following speed limits and highway rules. He pointed out that many road traffic crashes resulted from careless driving and an ignoring of set safety guidelines among drivers, whether they be personal or professional.
"This regrettable occurrence might have been completely prevented if the driver had adhered to the legal speed limits," he stated.
We thus encourage all individuals using the roads to be more cautious and adhere to the guidelines set forth in the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 for the common good of everyone’s safety.
A speeding Toyota Camry plunges off the Otedola Bridge