The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has cautioned drivers to refrain from driving against traffic on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway amidst ongoing maintenance work on the Kara Bridge. Offenders will be penalized, with no exceptions made for status.
Kehinde Hamzat, the Lagos Sector Commander of the FRSC, delivered this message on Monday, February 9, while assessing traffic conditions on the expressway.
In response to concerns over some government and security vehicles ignoring traffic rules, he deemed such behavior unacceptable.
"It is improper. We have recorded details of some violations. For instance, I witnessed a violation at the Opic turning; we have taken the necessary details for appropriate reporting," he stated.
Hamzat further explained that disciplinary measures by the involved agencies can be stricter than penalties applied by the FRSC.
"The penalties from their management often surpass those we might impose because it tarnishes the agency's reputation as well as the individual's. Such actions reflect an abuse of authority, which should not happen," he noted.
The construction work has exacerbated traffic delays, with the FRSC indicating that the repairs to the bridge are expected to last a minimum of two months.
According to the FRSC, damaged road segments have led to numerous accidents, especially as drivers attempt to evade oncoming vehicles. To expedite repairs, two expansion joints are under simultaneous restoration employing rapid-curing materials.
Hamzat attributed road degradation partially to overloading and announced that weighbridges would be utilized to mitigate this issue.
Regarding traffic management, he reported that personnel are strategically positioned to prevent one-way driving.
"We have made a strategic deployment along the corridor. Currently, no vehicles are permitted to drive against the traffic. From Warewa, where drivers often attempt to access the long bridge, we have reinforced restrictions," he explained.
While acknowledging delays for motorists entering Lagos due to the construction-related backlog, he emphasized the necessity of discipline during this period.
"Yes, individuals heading into Lagos will face some hindrances because of the ongoing construction, but maintaining traffic flow is more favorable than permitting congestion in both directions," he elaborated.
Hamzat warned that allowing one-way driving at critical locations like the Opic turning would severely disrupt traffic patterns on the expressway.
"Currently, drivers heading from Lagos to Ibadan are enjoying smooth traffic, while those coming into Lagos are experiencing some backlog, which is to be anticipated. What we need now is discipline," he remarked, revealing that several drivers have already been apprehended for traffic violations.
"We have detained some individuals for attempting to drive against the flow of traffic; they are being processed for fines, and some are being presented before the appropriate court," Hamzat confirmed.
On enforcement, he indicated that FRSC officers will remain deployed throughout the maintenance period. "They will be on-site until evening. As evening approaches, traffic will increasingly flow outward from Lagos, reducing congestion at the construction areas. Our personnel will consistently be on duty as they have been scheduled for shifts," he stated.
He added that the corps is collaborating with other security agencies to ensure adherence to traffic laws until the completion of the repair work.
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