The Federal Road Safety Corps has described how its rescue personnel quickly worked with the Fire Service and other emergency personnel to control a blazing petrol tanker at Otedola Bridge along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Tuesday.
Olusegun Ogungbemide, the spokesperson of FRSC, said in a statement released on Wednesday that their swift response averted more damage and possible deaths.
Eleven adult males were involved in the accident, which happened during rush hour. Two people were confirmed dead, and five were wounded.
A mechanical malfunction in one of the cars, especially a brake failure, was thought to be the cause of the event, which resulted in a severe traffic bottleneck.
The gravity of the incident was demonstrated by the fact that 15 automobiles were engaged in the multiple collision.
According to the statement, Shehu Mohammed, the FRSC Corps Marshal, reaffirmed the need for rigorous adherence to safety procedures for trucks transporting hazardous materials and voiced his profound sorrow over the accident’s avoidable nature.
Mohammed cautioned drivers, fleet managers, and car owners to put safety first while running their fleets in order to prevent similar tragedies.
He also issued a warning, saying that any infractions would result in the proper penalties under the National Road Traffic Regulations.
According to the statement, the Corps Marshal stressed that the FRSC will keep using its resources and experience to manage crises and guarantee the security of all drivers.
He also urged the public to remain alert and report any emergencies to the FRSC or other relevant authorities through their toll-free emergency line, 122.
“The Corps Marshal, FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, who expressed his displeasure over the preventable crash, called on all fleet managers to prioritise safety precautions in fleet management.
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“He warned against neglecting necessary safety measures, stating that appropriate sanctions would continue to be imposed on drivers and vehicle owners who compromise safety at the expense of other road users, following the provisions of the National Road Traffic Regulations.
“He affirmed that the FRSC will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety of all road users and will not hesitate to deploy resources and expertise to respond to any emergency.
“The Corps Marshal also urged all road users to remain vigilant and report any emergency situations to the FRSC or other relevant authorities through the Corps’ toll-free emergency line, 122,” the statement read in part.
