Lagos Coastal Highway crash kills one, injures 3

One person was killed while three others sustained injuries on Friday after a Lexus SUV crashed along the Lagos section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, inward Eko Hotel.

The accident occurred amid renewed concerns over motorists’ compliance with safety regulations on the newly constructed coastal highway, where authorities have repeatedly warned road users against speeding and reckless driving. Blueprint reports

The grey Lexus 350, with registration number LSD 554 KV, reportedly lost control, crashed into a roadside pole and overturned.

Three victims rescued from wreckage

According to a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, officials of the agency were alerted to the crash and immediately proceeded to the scene.

Taofiq said good Samaritans who were at the scene assisted in rescuing the three injured occupants from the overturned vehicle.

The injured victims were subsequently transported to Duck-Yard Hospital, located within the military zone, where they were admitted for medical attention.

Security personnel from Victoria Island also assisted in managing the scene and ensuring that the area remained accessible to emergency responders.

LASTMA officials later removed the damaged vehicle from the road to ease traffic flow and prevent further danger to other road users.

The circumstances surrounding the death of the victim were not immediately disclosed in the statement.

Crash raises fresh concerns over speeding

The latest incident has renewed concerns about compliance with the speed restrictions and other safety regulations imposed on the Lagos section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road.

The federal government had earlier warned motorists against violating traffic and safety regulations on the route following concerns over excessive speeding by some road users.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olufemi Dare, had disclosed that some motorists were driving at speeds of about 120km/h on the road despite the prescribed speed limit of 30km/h.

Authorities have repeatedly cautioned motorists that the relatively smooth surface of the coastal highway should not be interpreted as permission to drive at excessive speeds.

The latest crash has again highlighted the potential consequences of losing control of vehicles at high speed, particularly on a road where traffic regulations are still being enforced.

Similar fatal accident recorded in August

Friday’s crash was not the first fatal accident recorded on the coastal road in recent months.

A similar incident occurred in August when a speeding trailer reportedly lost control and collided with a Toyota mini truck.

One person was killed while two others sustained injuries in that incident.

The recurrence of serious crashes has increased calls for motorists to comply strictly with speed limits and other road safety regulations as traffic volumes on the coastal route increase.

LASTMA urges motorists to drive cautiously

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commiserated with the family of the deceased and expressed concern over the loss of life.

He urged motorists using the coastal road and other major routes in Lagos to avoid excessive speed, reckless driving and other behaviours capable of endangering their lives and those of other road users.

The agency also appealed to motorists to exercise greater caution, particularly around construction areas, roadside infrastructure and sections where traffic management measures are in place.

LASTMA further encouraged members of the public to promptly report road crashes, broken-down vehicles and obstructions that could pose a danger to other motorists.

The agency said such reports would enable traffic management officials to respond quickly and minimise the risk of secondary accidents.

Members of the public can report emergencies and traffic-related incidents to LASTMA through its toll-free line, 3367.

The latest accident adds to growing concerns over road safety on the Lagos section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, with authorities continuing to urge motorists to prioritise compliance with speed limits and other safety measures.