A driver distracted by his mobile phone has sustained severe injuries after his vehicle plunged into a bush canal at the Mowo axis, inward Badagry, along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway.
The accident, which involved a Lexus SUV with registration number JJJ 19 KK, occurred over the weekend and prompted an emergency rescue operation by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
According to LASTMA, preliminary investigations revealed that the driver lost control of the vehicle while operating a mobile phone behind the wheel.
The situation was exacerbated by excessive speeding, causing the vehicle to veer off the road, somersault, and crash into a nearby canal.
The agency disclosed that the driver suffered serious internal bleeding, while his female passenger sustained a fracture to her left arm.
Officials of LASTMA and the FRSC swiftly rescued the victims from the wreckage and transported them to the Ola-Oki Medical Facility in Ibereko, Badagry, where they are currently receiving medical treatment.
Recovery officials also evacuated the damaged vehicle from the scene to prevent further accidents and ensure the free flow of traffic along the expressway. Despite the severity of the incident, traffic movement along the corridor remained largely uninterrupted due to effective traffic control measures deployed by LASTMA personnel.
Commenting, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, warned motorists against distracted driving, excessive speeding, and reckless road use.
He stated that it is profoundly disheartening that despite sustained public enlightenment campaigns and continuous road safety advocacy by the government, some motorists still engage in the dangerous practice of operating mobile phones while driving.
He urged motorists to remain fully attentive behind the wheel, avoid phone usage while driving, and comply with all traffic and road safety regulations to prevent avoidable accidents and loss of lives.
