LASTMA engages dispatch riders on safety, professionalism, traffic compliance

Michael Olumide

Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Thursday convened a high-level Strategic Road Safety and Regulatory Stakeholders’ Engagement with courier and dispatch riders across Lagos State as part of efforts aimed at promoting road safety, regulatory compliance and operational discipline within the transportation sector.

The engagement, held at the LASTMA Headquarters in Oshodi, Lagos, was organised under the theme, “Ride Smart, Stay Alive,” and attracted key stakeholders within the transportation ecosystem, including representatives of courier and dispatch companies, security agencies, transport unions, road safety advocates and senior government officials.

Speaking during the event, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olawale Musa, was represented by the Director of Transport Operations in the ministry, Engr. Olasukanmi Ojowuro stressed the need for dispatch riders and courier operators to cultivate responsible riding habits and comply strictly with traffic regulations while operating within the state.

He noted that the engagement became necessary following the increasing cases of traffic infractions, reckless riding and fatal accidents involving dispatch riders along major roads in Lagos.

According to him, the Lagos State Government remains committed to safeguarding lives and property through sustainable transportation policies, institutional reforms and continuous stakeholder engagement aimed at ensuring professionalism, efficiency and orderliness in the transportation sector.

He urged dispatch riders to view road safety regulations not as punitive measures but as essential safeguards designed to protect lives and ensure smooth vehicular movement across the state.

Earlier in his remarks, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described dispatch riders as critical partners in sustaining the movement of goods and services within Lagos State’s expanding commercial environment.

Bakare-Oki disclosed that operational reports involving dispatch riders in 2025 indicated that more than 862 crash victims had been rescued through emergency interventions, while over 16,641 vehicles were impounded for traffic-related offences ranging from reckless driving and obstruction to overloading and mechanical defects.

He further revealed that several tragic accidents involving dispatch riders had been recorded along major traffic corridors, including Eko Bridge, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Otedola Bridge axis, Ikorodu Road, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway and railway crossing points around Ikeja.

The LASTMA boss identified reckless overtaking, driving against traffic, fatigue caused by prolonged working hours, poor motorcycle maintenance, traffic light violations, use of mobile phones while riding and failure to use crash helmets and reflective jackets as some of the major causes of accidents involving dispatch riders.

According to him, dispatch riders often operate under intense pressure to meet strict delivery timelines and customer expectations while navigating difficult traffic conditions 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,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, who attended as Special Guest of Honour, advised courier companies and dispatch operators to institutionalise regular safety training programmes, proper rider documentation and effective monitoring systems capable of promoting professionalism, accountability and operational discipline.

The police commissioner also urged dispatch riders to remain security -conscious while carrying out their activities across the state.

Participants at the engagement commended LASTMA for organising what they described as a timely and impactful initiative aimed at improving road safety and strengthening operational standards among dispatch riders in Lagos.

The event also featured interactive sessions, regulatory sensitisation lectures and discussions on practical measures needed to improve compliance and promote safer dispatch operations within the state.

Other agencies represented at the engagement included the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Lagos Traffic Radio, Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI), Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL), Lagos State Task Force, Command and Control Centre, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), among others.