Following the incident that occurred at Toyota on Oshodi Express Way yesterday, the Lagos State Government has urged motorists to shun reckless behavior and drive with consideration for others avoid inconveniencing and posing danger to other road users.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde who was at the scene of the accident to assess the impact on road infrastructure and traffic flow, told reporters that the explosion was caused by collision of a fully loaded petrol tanker with another truck, while trying to overtake each other.
Expressing displeasure at the worrisome rate of accidents involving petrol tankers, Oladeinde said the number plate on the recovered tanker head, would be used to track the owner/company and necessary sanctions meted out on the offenders adding that the Federal Road Safety Corps, Vehicle Inspection Service and other Law Enforcement Agencies have been directed to rid Lagos roads of all vehicles that are not roadworthy.
Oladeinde further said the affected bridge would be closed to vehicular movement till an integrity test would be conducted on it to ascertain the level of damage caused by the inferno to avoid unwarranted disaster for road users.
While appealing to motorists and other road users to exercise caution while driving, the Transport Commissioner warned that the government will no longer tolerate the reckless driving by heavy duty vehicle drivers in the state.
He said the government would be meeting with the leadership of all tanker and truck unions towards proffering permanent solutions to the incessant accidents on the roads.