The Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) in Ogun State has issued a warning to the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) regarding the indiscriminate parking of vehicles around the Toll Gate area along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. Adekunle Ajibade, the Sango-Ota Area Commander of TRACE, conveyed this caution during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.
This warning comes in the wake of a recent accident involving two vehicles and two motorcycles, resulting in the tragic death of two individuals and serious injury to another. The accident occurred when a trailer with registration number T-4223 LA collided head-on with a Volkswagen and two motorcycles on the Abeokuta-Lagos Expressway at around 5:10 a.m.
Ajibade emphasized the necessity of this warning to NURTW members due to the potential traffic congestion and avoidable loss of lives that can result from indiscriminate parking along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. He pointed out that many NURTW members engage with motorists who park their vehicles without regard for safety measures.
He stressed the importance of discouraging such practices, particularly in the Toll Gate area, to reduce accidents, especially during the “ember months” (the end of the year, traditionally associated with increased traffic and accidents). The TRACE commander also noted that the accident could have been prevented if the trailer driver had not engaged in improper overtaking and had adhered to the speed limit.
This warning underscores the importance of responsible parking practices and safe driving to enhance road safety and prevent accidents on busy highways.
“We are appealing to motorists to drive carefully and ensure proper maintenance of their vehicles to reduce road crashes, especially at the Toll-Gate area on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
“In addition, motorists should refrain from reckless driving and reduce their speed to the barest minimum to stem mishaps during the ember months,” he said.
The TRACE commander said a task force and other security agencies were working assiduously to remove those trading on the road, and that they had been warned several times to desist from such practice.
He noted that TRACE will continue to collaborate with other sister agencies to ensure the safety of lives around the Toll Gate.
