LASTMA Impounds 16,641 Vehicles In 2025, Blames Traffic Violations For Surge In Road Crashes Involving Dispatch Riders

LASTMA impounds 16,641 vehicles in 2025, blames traffic violations for surge in road crashes involving dispatch riders. 

Agency revealed that operational reports on activities involving dispatch riders in 2025 revealed that over 862 crash victims were rescued.

Lists the major causes of these crashes to include reckless overtaking, driving against traffic and fatigue arising from prolonged working hours.

Other causes listed by LASTMA includes poor motorcycle maintenance, traffic light violations and use of mobile phones while riding.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has revealed that operational reports on activities involving dispatch riders in 2025 revealed that over 862 crash victims were rescued through various emergency interventions.

General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, disclosed this on Thursday during a strategic Road Safety and Regulatory Stakeholders’ engagement convened with courier and dispatch riders, under the theme: “Ride Smart, Stay Alive.”

At the event, held at the LASTMA Headquarters, Oshodi, Bakare-Oki, also revealed that more than 16,641 vehicles were impounded in 2025 for traffic-related offences, including reckless driving, obstruction, overloading and mechanical defects.

While urging dispatch riders to prioritise their safety, the General Manager of LASTMA, noted that dispatch riders remain critical partners in sustaining the efficient movement of goods and services within Lagos State’s rapidly expanding commercial landscape.

He also revealed that several tragic incidents involving dispatch riders had been recorded along major traffic corridors such as Eko Bridge, Lekki-Epe Expressway, the Otedola Bridge axis, Ikorodu Road, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway and Railway crossing points around Ikeja.

He listed the major causes of these unfortunate crashes to include reckless overtaking, driving against traffic, fatigue arising from prolonged working hours, poor motorcycle maintenance, traffic light violations, use of mobile phones while riding and non-compliance with extant safety regulations, particularly the use of crash helmets and reflective jackets.

In his words : “Beyond these safety concerns, dispatch riders also operate under enormous commercial pressure to meet stringent delivery timelines and customer expectations, often navigating difficult traffic conditions for prolonged hours daily. Every avoidable crash involving a dispatch rider remains a painful reminder that safety must continue to occupy the highest pedestal of our collective priorities”.

• See Also : 4,078 Vehicles Involved In 2,720 Road Crashes Between Jan-March 2026 – National Bureau of Statistics