The member representing Ibadan north-west/Ibadan south-west federal constituency of Oyo state in the House of Representatives, Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Stanley Olajide, has expressed deep concern over the increasing cases of trailer related accidents in Ibadan, calling for urgent regulatory measures to safeguard lives and property.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Media and Public Affairs, Tolu Mustapha, the lawmaker condemned the back to back incidents recorded in the Oke-Ado and Molete areas of the city, describing them as tragic and avoidable.
The latest incidents occurred on friday and saturday, throwing residents into panic. A fuel laden tanker was, on friday morning, involved in a serious accident around Oke-Ado after it reportedly lost control and rammed into several roadside shops. The truck also struck a tricycle, leaving it trapped, while causing extensive damage to properties within the busy commercial hub.
Less than 24 hours later, another tragic incident was recorded at the Molete under bridge axis, where a trailer conveying a container reportedly lost control while navigating a roundabout. The container was said to have dislodged and crashed onto tricycles, motorcycles and unsuspecting pedestrians.
Eyewitness accounts attributed the accident to improper fastening of the container, as the development again threw the area into chaos, with residents and road users rushing to assist victims.
Expressing grief over the incidents, Olajide commiserated with victims and families affected by the crashes, stressing that the recurring loss of lives due to negligence and non adherence to safety regulations by these drivers must be decisively addressed.
“Every life counts in Oyo state. We cannot continue to loose our people to the negligence and recklessness of certain individuals. The actions of some drivers, the condition of their trucks and strict enforcement of rules and safety regulations must be addressed and looked into decisively,” he said.
The lawmaker advocated the restriction of movement of articulated vehicles to between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., noting that such a measure would significantly reduce the risk posed to road users during peak hours.
“The period between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. is when vehicular and human traffic is considerably reduced. These trucks can operate within that window with minimal risk to lives,” he added.
Olajide further called for a state legislative action to regulate the use of roads, particularly by heavy duty vehicles and commercial drivers, in order to forestall further tragedies.
