The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has said its Rescue and Emergency Response Unit rescued 353 victims of road traffic crashes and other emergencies across the state between January and May 2026.
The disclosure was contained in a press statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Taofiq Adebayo.
According to the statement, the agency also urged motorists, commercial transport operators, motorcyclists and other road users to exercise greater caution as the state continues to experience intensified rainfall and challenging driving conditions.
LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, who reviewed the activities of the agency’s emergency response team, said the rescue figures underscored both the effectiveness of LASTMA’s interventions and the increased vulnerability of road users during adverse weather conditions.
The statement said the rescued victims comprised 207 adult males, 137 adult females and nine male children, all of whom benefited from the prompt intervention of LASTMA personnel deployed to accident and emergency scenes across the state.
Bakare-Oki noted that the rainy season presents several hazards to road users, including poor visibility, slippery road surfaces, flooded carriageways, reduced tyre traction and mechanical failures, all of which 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.
He added that many accidents could be avoided through responsible driving, adherence to speed regulations, maintaining safe distances between vehicles, avoiding reckless overtaking and carrying out routine vehicle maintenance.
The LASTMA boss advised motorists to ensure that critical vehicle components such as brakes, tyres, windshield wipers, lighting systems and steering mechanisms are in optimal condition before embarking on journeys during periods of heavy rainfall.
He also warned against excessive speeding during rainfall, noting that wet road surfaces increase braking distances and reduce tyre grip, thereby heightening the risk of collisions and loss of control.
Bakare-Oki further cautioned motorists against driving through flooded sections of roads without first assessing their depth and condition, saying such actions often result in accidents and vehicle breakdowns.
He commended members of LASTMA’s Rescue and Emergency Response Team for their professionalism and acknowledged the support of other emergency agencies, healthcare workers and security personnel in reducing fatalities on Lagos roads.
According to the statement, the agency remains committed, under the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to strengthening its emergency response framework through continuous training, acquisition of modern rescue equipment and enhanced inter-agency collaboration.
Bakare-Oki appealed to all road users to cultivate safety consciousness, patience and discipline, stressing that road safety is a collective responsibility.
The statement added that LASTMA remains operationally prepared to respond swiftly to emergencies and ensure uninterrupted traffic flow across the state despite the ongoing rains.
