Lagos Cautions Dispatch Riders Against Reckless Driving, Demands Compliance with Traffic Laws

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has urged dispatch riders and courier operators to shun reckless riding and strictly adhere to traffic regulations in a renewed push to enhance road safety across the state.

The appeal was made during a strategic stakeholders’ engagement held yesterday at LASTMA’s headquarters in Oshodi, themed “Ride Smart, Stay Alive.” The forum brought together courier operators, dispatch riders, transport unions, security agencies, road safety advocates, and government officials to address the rising tide of accidents involving dispatch riders and commercial motorcyclists in Lagos.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Director of Transport Operations Olasukanmi Ojowuro stressed the need for responsible riding habits, full compliance with traffic laws, and a safety-first mindset on Lagos roads. Ojowuro noted that the engagement became imperative following a sharp increase in traffic violations, reckless riding, and fatal crashes involving dispatch riders across various parts of the state.

He reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to safeguarding lives and property through transportation reforms, sustainable policies, and sustained stakeholder engagement. Traffic regulations, he added, should be viewed not as punitive measures but as essential safeguards designed to protect lives and ensure the smooth flow of traffic.

In his remarks, LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki described dispatch riders as vital players in the movement of goods and services within Lagos’ expanding commercial landscape. He disclosed that operational reports for 2025 recorded over 862 crash victims rescued through emergency interventions and more than 16,641 vehicles impounded for various traffic offences.

Bakare-Oki further revealed that multiple fatal accidents involving dispatch riders had occurred along major corridors including Eko Bridge, the Lekki-Epe Expressway, Otedola Bridge axis, Ikorodu Road, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, and railway crossing points around Ikeja. He attributed the crashes largely to reckless overtaking, driving against traffic, fatigue from extended working hours, poor motorcycle maintenance, traffic light violations, mobile phone use while riding, and failure to wear protective gear such as crash helmets and reflective jackets.

“Every avoidable crash involving a dispatch rider serves as a painful reminder that safety must remain a top priority,” Bakare-Oki stated.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, called on courier companies and dispatch operators to institute regular safety training, ensure proper rider documentation, and deploy stronger monitoring systems to foster accountability and professionalism. He also advised riders to remain security-conscious while carrying out their operations.

The General Manager of the Courier and Logistics Regulatory Department at the Nigeria Postal Service, Gideon Shonde, noted that the courier business carries significant risk and identified trust and time management as critical elements for successful delivery operations.

Participants commended LASTMA for the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention to improve road safety and strengthen coordination within Lagos’ dispatch operations sector. The programme featured interactive sessions, safety sensitisation lectures, and discussions on measures to raise operational standards and regulatory compliance among dispatch riders.

Agencies represented at the engagement included the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), and other transportation and emergency response bodies.