The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has announced that 353 people were rescued from road crashes and related emergencies across the state within the first five months of the year.
General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the figure emerged from a review of the agency’s Rescue and Emergency Response Unit, which handles traffic accidents and on-the-road emergencies in Lagos.
According to a statement by LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, the rescued victims include 207 adult men, 137 adult women and nine male children. Officials say all received prompt intervention from personnel deployed to crash and emergency scenes across the state.
Bakare-Oki described the rescues as evidence of the agency’s commitment to saving lives but warned that the numbers also highlight persistent safety gaps on Lagos roads, especially during the rainy season.
He noted that rainfall typically worsens driving conditions, with poor visibility, slippery surfaces, flooding and sudden mechanical failures combining to increase the risk of crashes.
“While we take pride in the successful rescue of 353 individuals within the first five months of the year, these incidents equally serve as a poignant reminder of the need for greater caution and responsibility on our roads, particularly during the ongoing rainy season,” he said.
The LASTMA boss stressed that many of the recorded crashes were avoidable, attributing them to speeding, reckless overtaking, failure to maintain safe distances and poor vehicle maintenance.
He urged motorists to pay close attention to critical components such as brakes, tyres, windscreen wipers, lights and steering before setting out, especially in bad weather. He also cautioned against speeding on wet roads, warning that stopping distances increase significantly when surfaces are slippery and tyre grip is reduced.
Bakare-Oki further advised drivers to avoid navigating flooded sections of roads without first assessing water depth and road condition, saying such risky behaviour often leads to stalled vehicles, collisions and other emergencies.
He commended LASTMA’s Rescue and Emergency Response Team for what he described as professional and dedicated service, and acknowledged the cooperation of other emergency agencies, health workers and security operatives.
Reaffirming the state government’s commitment under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Bakare-Oki said efforts are ongoing to strengthen emergency response through better training, modern rescue equipment and closer inter-agency collaboration.
He appealed to all road users to prioritise safety, patience and discipline, adding that strict compliance with traffic rules remains the most effective safeguard against preventable tragedies on Lagos roads.
