Lagos residents seek restrictions on articulated vehicles

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There has been an increase in incidents of fuel tankers being overturned

Some residents of Lagos State have called on the government to ban the movement of articulated vehicles during the daytime, following Saturday’s accident involving a fuel-laden tanker near Berger Bus Stop on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

According to residents of the area, the timely arrival of firefighters and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials prevented what could have been a major fire disaster, as the tanker emptied its content on the expressway.

The accident caused heavy traffic on both sides of the highway, as firemen made frantic efforts to prevent the spilled fuel from igniting.

Dele Omogboyega, a civil servant who was at the scene of the accident, said that most of the accidents on the expressway were caused by heavy-duty trucks.

He urged the state government to ban heavy-duty trucks and articulated vehicles from travelling on the highway during the day.

“Almost everyday, accidents on this road are caused by tankers and we want government to ban them from moving on the road during the day because we are fed up with this nuisance,” he said.

Omogboyega noted that most of the tankers were not roadworthy and urged road traffic authorities to intervene and stop the anomaly so as to prevent continued loss of lives on the roads.

Shakiru Ishola, a commercial driver, blamed the accidents on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on the recklessness of the trailer drivers.

“Most of the trailer drivers have no regard for traffic rules and regulations; they are always inconsiderate of other road users,” he said.

Bosede Oloyede, a businesswoman, commended the firefighters for their prompt response, adding that it could have been very catastrophic if the accident had provoked an inferno.

“I have spent more than two hours in this traffic gridlock as a result of the tanker that fell but we thank God that no life was lost,” she said.

“The Federal Government should construct special lanes for heavy-duty trucks, just like the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) lane constructed by the Lagos State Government.”

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