The Nation Newspaper

Tag: reckless driving

  • Driver docked for ‘reckless driving, motorcyclist’s death’

    A 31-year-old man, Mustapha Waidi, was arraigned yesterday at an Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Isabo for allegedly driving recklessly and killing Sulaimon Kehinde.

    Mustapha, of no fixed address, is facing a two-count charge of driving recklessly and dangerously on the highway and causing the death of one person.

    The prosecutor, Inspector Sunday Eigbejiale, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on September 6 at noon on Iyana Mortuary/Leme Expressway in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    Eigbejiale said the defendant, a driver of Leyland tipper with registration number (Lagos) KTU 75 XE, drove on the highway in a reckless and dangerous manner, which caused Kehinde’s death and injury to two others.

    The prosecutor said the truck driver drove dangerously and collided with a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number (Ogun) JBD 069 QN, conveying two passengers, including the driver.

    He said: “The truck driver was on a high speed, which he could not control, and hit the motorcycle, which led to the death of Kehinde, 31, inflicted serious injury on Ajani Toheeb 18 and Subaru Demola, 27.

    “At the time of his arrest, it was found that he drove the vehicle on the public highway without having a valid driver’s licence.”

    The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

    The prosecutor said the offence contravene sections 5, 6(1) and 10 of the Federal Highway Act Cap F13 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

    Chief Magistrate, Mrs Adeola Adelaja, granted bail to the defendant for N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She added that the sureties must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and must show evidence of tax payment.

    Mrs Adelaja adjourned the matter till November 26 for trial.

  • Reckless driving

    Sadly, lives were lost in Lagos weekend road tragedies that once again highlighted the threat posed by motorists driving under the influence or overspeeding. In one case, the deaths occurred following a March 11 accident involving a supposedly drunk driver whose car allegedly rammed into an 18-seater commercial bus at the first Lekki Toll Gate.

    Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) General Manager Adesina Tiamiyu shed some light on the collision, saying that the agency was alerted around 6.49am. He was quoted as saying:  ”A total of four fatalities were recorded which include three males and a female. Sixteen casualties with severe injuries were recorded, including four females and 12 males.”

    In another accident the previous day, a motorist who had stopped to help an accident victim died after being knocked down by a car at Apongbon, Lagos Island.

    A report of the Lekki crash said the driver was driving against the traffic. He was in a Lexus GX470 Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), belonging to Triple D Global Resources Limited, and was reportedly returning from a night club. An official at the toll gate was quoted as saying: “I was not here when the accident happened but from the information I got from my colleagues, the driver of the jeep was drunk. They saw empty bottles of alcoholic drinks inside his car. The road is big enough for all cars to move freely and conveniently, it is only a drunk man that would have left his lane to another lane as wide as this road is.”

    It is notable and commendable that emergency workers reportedly arrived at the Lekki accident scene with a sense of emergency. The first responders included Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Response Unit, Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Rapid Response Squad (RRS), the police, State Environmental Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) and Lekki Concession Company (LCC) officials.  They managed the traffic, controlled the crowd even as they gave first aid to the victims, who were later moved to the General Hospital, Marina, and the Trauma Centre at the old Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Toll Gate.

    The Apongbon accident happened on a Saturday night when the motorist who lost his life went to the aid of another motorist whose vehicle had collided with a trailer. The injured motorist was said to have been trapped in his Honda vehicle. A commercial bus driver also stopped to help the victim. While the Good Samaritans tried to help the victim, an oncoming vehicle hit them and sped away. The motorist who tried to help died on the spot; the trapped victim and the bus driver were injured.

    These tragedies were avoidable. Drink driving and overspeeding are controllable, which makes the role of the drivers involved condemnable. There is no excuse for such dangerous and potentially destructive behaviour behind the wheel. When accidents happen as a result of such causes, the problem can be attributed to a failure of common sense. It is important to emphasise that the regular public enlightenment campaigns that discourage overspeeding and alcohol consumption for road safety reasons need to be treated seriously and absorbed by drivers.

    We hope Tiamiyu would keep to his promise of ensuring that the accidents are thoroughly investigated so that appropriate actions can be taken to check avoidable road crashes. Road safety is a non-negotiable objective, and drivers responsible for crashes, casualties and fatalities on the road must not go unpunished. Road safety officials have a lot to do to ensure sanity on our roads.

  • Police arraign banker for ‘reckless driving’

    Police arraign banker for ‘reckless driving’

    A 29-year-old bank worker, Korede Lawal, was yesterday arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court for allegedly causing the death of Chris Azuzu.

    Lawal was arraigned on a three-count charge of man slaughter and reckless driving before Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe.

    The prosecutor, Cyriacus Osuji, alleged that Lawal, who lives on Olumegbon Road, Surulere, Lagos  drove recklessly on the highway and caused Azuzu’s death.

    Osuji told the court that the defendant committed the  offence on December 6.

    He said the accident occurred on Bourdillion road Ikoyi, Lagos at about 4.20pm.

    Osuji said the defendant did not see the late Chris in time while he was trying to cross the road. He was said to have hit the late Chris with his Toyota Camry car.

    He said the victim was taken to the hospital, where he died.

    According to the prosecutor, the offences are punishable under Sections 20, 19 (1) and 45 schedule 1 of the Road Traffic Law of Lagos State.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Komolafe granted him N500,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    She added that the sureties must be gainfully employed, resident in Lagos, and show evidence of three years tax to the Lagos State government.

    The case continues on February 6.

  • Cleric jailed for reckless driving

    A pastor, Kehinde Bamisile, who  damaged the car of a lecturer, Dr Kayode Ariyo, in Ekiti State, has been jailed for 18 months.

    The 53-year-old cleric at the Akure, Ondo State-based World Soul Winning Evangelical Ministry (WOSEM), hit Ariyo’s Mercedes Benz C200 car while being pursued by police and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), for allegedly carrying passengers along Ikere-Iju road without permission on June 16, 2016.

    He resorted to speeding on a narrow road but lost control and swerved into Ariyo’s car in the oncoming lane.

    Magistrate O. Lawal of the Ikere-Ekiti Judicial Division, who pronounced him guilty of gross traffic misconduct, also ordered the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to withdraw his driver’s licence and not issue or renew it for 36 months.

    Ariyo, a chief lecturer and Head of the Department of Languages, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo in Ondo State, said he spent over N300, 000 to repair his damaged car.

    However, Magistrate Lawal, refrained from awarding cost for damages. He gave Ariyo the option of seeking redress in the high court, if interested in claiming damages.

    He, however, gave Bamisile a N5,000 fine option.

  • Commissioner warns against reckless driving

    Commissioner warns against reckless driving

    Lagos State Government has warned motorists to avoid reckless driving.

    Commissioner for Transportation Dr Dayo Mobereola urged intra and inter-city drivers to be more patient especially during traffic gridlock.

    He said: “During this sallah period, many people will be commuting on the roads either travelling out or into Lagos. In addition, as we enter the ember months, the period usually associated with accidents and incidences on roads, it is necessary to further ask motorists to observe reasonable care to avoid loss of lives and to be more patient.

    “It is in this regard that we call on those involved in public transportation, drivers, unions and private individuals to join hand with the state government and keep accidents off our roads.

    “It is reasonable not to drink and drive or drive and drink, avoid over speeding and overloading, limit the daily trips to very reasonable levels, ensure vehicle are properly maintained and acknowledge the rights of other road users.”

  • Man arraigned for reckless driving

    A 24-year-old man identified as James Eferetin, has been arraigned before an Evbouriaria Magistrates Court for recklessly driving on a Federal Highway.

    James was accused of driving one Nissan Vannette bus marked WWR 732 XA in a manner dangerous to the public.

    He pleaded not guilty to the one count charge preferred against him.

    Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Olatoye Oluwaseun, said the accused committed the offence on March 11, at about 11:00am, along Egun villiage, off Benin/Warri express way in Benin.

    He said the offence contravened section 6 (1) of the Federal Highway Act cap F13 Vol.6 laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 2004.

    Presiding Magistrates, Mrs C.E Oghuma, granted the accused bail in the sum of N80, 000 and surety in like sum who must be a residence within the Court jurisdiction.

    Oghuma adjourned the case till May 11, for hearing.

  • Driver gets N2m bail for church member’s death

    Driver gets N2m bail for church member’s death

    A 25-year-old driver, Saheed Rabiu, was Wednesday granted stiff bail conditions for allegedly causing the death of one Abu Godwin with his pickup truck.

    Rabiu, of No.1 Milkatu Close, Agbado, Ogun State, was Wednesday arraigned by the police before Mr. B. A. Sonuga of a Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Igbosere, on charges bordering on driving without particulars, reckless and inconsiderate driving and manslaughter.

    Prosecuting Inspector Kenneth Asibor told the court that the defendant committed the offences at about 10pm on January 18, along the Ajah-Epe Expressway, Abijo Town, Ibeju-Lekki.

    He alleged that Abu Godwin of Bloom Church Majeck in Abijo was killed when he was hit by a Toyota Dyna pickup truck driven carelessly and dangerously by the defendant, without vehicle documents.
    The pickup truck’s Registration No. was given as BDG718XG.

    He said that the alleged offences contravened and were punishable under Section 15 A82 No.4; Section 18(1) A84 No.4 and Section 20(1) A85 No.4 of the Lagos State Road Traffic Law, 2012.

    The defendant, pleaded not guilty to all four counts and his lawyer, Mr. Ikechukwu Anioma urged the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.

    Magistrate Sonuga admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in the like sum, who must provide evidence of tax payment for five years.

    One of the sureties must also be a blood relation with a verifiable address within the court’s jurisdiction.
    The matter was adjourned till February 16, for trial.

  • Yuletide: NURTW cautions members against reckless driving

    Yuletide: NURTW cautions members against reckless driving

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Bwari branch, has cautioned its members against reckless driving during the yuletide season, to avoid accidents.

    Mr Muhammed Idris, the Secretary of the union, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bwari on Friday.

    He said that the advice was imperative as it is union’s responsibility to sensitise its members on need to shun reckless driving in order to prevent
    motor accidents.

    He decried the rising incidence of road crashes on expressways, which, he noted, was mostly caused by reckless driving.

    Idris said that reckless driving was inimical to other road users just as driving without a valid driver’s licence, among other traffic offences.

    “We must be careful while driving, especially during this yuletide season, to ensure that the lives of other road users are not compromised, whether they are car drivers or pedestrians.

    “Reckless is usually borne out of a need to intimidate and outperform other road users without regard to the safety of other drivers.”

    “Most people drive without giving warnings; however good and however skilled you are, such can amount to reckless driving.”

    He gave an assurance that the union would establish partnership with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to sensitise its members more about road signs.

  • Yuletide: Lagos warns against use of fireworks, reckless driving

    Yuletide: Lagos warns against use of fireworks, reckless driving

    The Lagos State Government Tuesday warned residents against the use of fireworks popularly known as ‘Biscoe and Banger”’, just as it reiterated the readiness of government to enforce the order preventing the use of the device in the state.

    Briefing journalists at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa Secretariat, Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Seye Oladejo, said the need to caution residents was due to the potential hazard of the device to the people and the environment.

    He recalled the December 26, 2012 fire outbreak caused by storage of fireworks in Lagos Island which led to loss of lives and properties worth millions of naira.

    He said the danger associated with the dropping of cigarette tubs or fireworks indiscriminately, especially at this period of harmattan pose a great challenge which could lead to fire outbreak.

    Oladejo who briefed journalists alongside his counterpart in the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde and other heads of agencies, also reassured residents of the readiness of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration to ensure the yuletide season is devoid of traffic gridlock and criminal activities across the metropolis.

    He said the government was concerned about the menace which petrol tankers and other articulated vehicles have become on Lagos roads, as well as the incessant fire incidents and needless road traffic and accidents which have led to loss of lives and properties.

    To this end, he said the state government has put adequate measures in place to ensure that residents go about their activities with much ease during the festive period including total enforcement of the traffic and safety laws.

    “It is not enough to have safety regulations; they must be enforced and complied with to prevent avoidable loss of lives, properties and injuries.

    “As a government which cares about the safety of lives and properties, nothing short of strict adherence to safety rules will be acceptable, relevant provisions of the law will be applied against erring individuals and organizations,” he said.

    Oladejo also urged residents to be vigilant especially when in a large gathering such as religious programmes, carnivals, clubs, event centres and restaurant,  however assuring that the state remains safe and secure for people living an doing business in the state.

    “The State Government is coming out fully to implement all these laws through our relevant government agencies and the security operatives such as the Nigeria Police, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), Task Force on Environmental and Special Offence, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Neighbourhood watch by assisting the government in apprehending defaulters of these laws and be prosecuted accordingly,” he said.

     

     

  • Arrested for reckless driving

    Arrested for reckless driving

    Drivers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are allegedly reckless. But GRACE OBIKE reports that the establishment of mobile courts by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to try traffic offenders will bring sanity on Abuja roads

    Usually, when one goes to learn how to drive, one of the pieces of advice given to one is to consider other motorists as insane who are likely to make crazy moves while driving. This is because their careless manner of driving might endanger the lives of others.

    It is not uncommon to notice that most people have always seen drivers in Abuja as carelessý and reckless. For years, people have complained of how people just hit the road with their new cars without ensuring that they are competent in terms of driving. When drivers in Abuja are not recklessly on speed, they are driving against traffic without caring.

    Although private car owners are also culpable of reckless driving ý, it is equally common with painted and unpainted cab drivers. They have become so fond of breaking traffic rules. Their actions have caused a lot of road mishaps that claimed several lives.

    Being away that most private motorists are careful to avoid their vehicles smashed, they drive recklessly and if they smash other people’s cars, they simply beg and are, most times, left to go free.

    Unfortunately, the trend that is becoming common in Abuja with most drivers is over-loading. Most vehicles over-load their vehicles either with passengers or goods, most times both. When most of the recalcitrant drivers feel that they can get away with it, they carry so many passengers. Seats that should normally take three passengers are loaded with four or five. This engenders discomfort. In fact, some passengers have become so accustomed to this trend that they have resigned to fate. When the passengers complain about the discomfort they are experiencing, the driver will mildly ask them to manage.

    Hopefully, the issue of over-loading and reckless driving will soon become a thing of the past, as the Federal Road Safety Commission is poised to enforce laws against these twin traffic offences in the nation’s capital.

    Not only are the offending drivers arrested, their vehicles are impounded and the drivers dragged to a mobile court for prosecution.

    Just last week, about 50 offenders were brought before the Magistrate’s Court of the mobile court. Some of them were warned; some asked to ensure that their vehicles were road worthy, while others were fined.

    The Unit Commander, R87.15 Kubwa, Assistant Corps Commander Yusuf Abdullahi stated that they have been sensitising drivers on the dangers of over-loading. He warned drivers of the punishment that will be meted out to offenders by the Corps.

    He said: “When we talk of over-loading, it has to do with both mankind and goods. It covers all categories of vehicles. There is a required load capacity for both human and goods and the moment it is violated, it becomes a problem.

    “The Corps considered the trend and realised that it is becoming too rampant in the cityý. We decided to put in place some measures to control it. We embarked on public enlightenment campaigns at motor parks were we informed them of the dangers associated with the excessive loading of vehicles; we have, as well, tried to enlighten the public through the media.

    “We have now initiated a mobile court. Whoever we apprehend, we hand him over to the mobile court where we have a Magistrate who presides over the issue.

    “We have routine daily patrol and where we sense that it is becoming too rampant, we put up some measuresý. We are quite aware of all the unions and stakeholders in the areas. Where we notice that the offence is becoming rampant, we write to the organisations concerned. For instance, if we realise that school buses or staff buses or even company cars are involved in the issue of over-loading, we write to the organisation, informing them of the conducts of their drivers.

    “To really get rid of the menace of over-loading, we adopted the “operation no recklessness in Abuja” which has been on since the last quarter of last year. We warn residents not to allow motorists to squeeze them into vehicles in the name of trying to make money from them. Every passenger has the right to protect his or her own life. Being in an over-loaded vehicle constitutes serious danger to the occupants of the vehicle and other road users. People should always be conscious of safety.

    One of the drivers apprehended for flouting the law said: “Me I can’t take it anymore. I honestly do not know what is wrong with me. I don’t understand why I always find myself breaking their laws and been apprehended by them and the Nigeria police.

    “The other day, I was arrested by the police in Kaduna for causing an accident that led to the death of someone. They arrested me, locked me up and when they got fed up of me, they released me and I promised to always be careful. Now, I have committed another offence. So, please I want them just to take the car and sell it because I’m tired of this business. I want them to sell the car and give me the money so that I will look for something else to do.”