Following an upsurge in truck accident cases across Lagos claiming over 10 persons’ death, the State Government has warned owners and drivers of articulated vehicles against contravening road safety measures put in place to protect Lagosians across the state.
It said that any driver and owner found to be complicit in any truck accident will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the State Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL), 2018.
The warning was issued by the Ministry of Transportation on Wednesday through a statement released Deputy Director, Public Affairs department for the ministry, Bolanle Ogunlola.
It noted that the warning becomes necessary, following recent truck accidents at Ojuelegba and Ikotun area which claimed lives of innocent citizens and left scores of people injured, also at Abule-Egba road, and Odoyalaro (Maryland) Bridge which fortunately was without casualties.
The state government stressed that enforcement strategies to checkmate the operations and activities of articulated vehicles plying the State Roads are sacrosanct and would be enforced.
According to the statement, investigation reveals that the accidents happen most times, due to negligence and recklessness on the part of the drivers, reiterating that the State Government has resolved not to tolerate unabated truck accidents caused by large containers falling off trucks that injure or kill citizens, who are going about their daily activities.
“Having carried out a critical forensic investigation on the causes of these accidents, the State Government has resolved to evoke the full wrath of the laws stipulated in its Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL), 2018, on the liability of owners for safety.
“The law clearly stated that a person who drives a commercial vehicle whose condition does not conform with the provisions of the law commits an offense and is liable on conviction to the penalty stated in Section 18 (2) and in situations where the driver of the vehicle is not the owner, the owner will also be liable in line with Section 18 (3).
“The State Government has registered its displeasure and position on the current situation sought the full cooperation of all relevant Stakeholders in the implementation of the exercise/enforcement in a bid to erase needless deaths, enhance movement without fear on our roads, and safety of lives and property”.
The Statement further commiserates with families who lost their loved ones in the recent accidents assuring them that justice will be served.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.