The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has warned motorists using the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway to stop driving against traffic as rehabilitation work continues on the Kara Bridge, stressing that anyone caught will face penalties, no matter their status.
The Lagos Sector Commander of the FRSC, Kehinde Hamzat, gave the warning on Monday while inspecting the heavy traffic situation along the route.
Hamzat reacted to reports that some government and security vehicles were still violating traffic rules, describing the act as unacceptable and a clear abuse of office.
“It is wrong. Many times, we take some of their details.
“Like I saw one pass when I was at the Opic turning; we’ve taken the details and we will report appropriately to the man in there,” he said.
He explained that agencies often discipline their staff more severely than the FRSC would, because such misconduct damages the image of the organisation.
“The kind of penalty given by their management is much more than the one we would think we want to give, because it’s a stain on the agency and a stain on the person in question.
“It’s an abuse of office, which is not supposed to be,” Hamzat added.
Traffic congestion has worsened on the expressway due to ongoing repair works on the Kara Bridge, which the FRSC earlier announced could last up to two months.
According to the Corps, the damaged portions of the road have contributed to several accidents, especially when motorists attempt to avoid oncoming vehicles.
To ensure faster completion, repairs are currently being carried out on two expansion joints at the same time, using quicker-curing materials.
Hamzat also blamed the poor condition of the road on overloading, saying the deployment of weighbridges would help control the problem.
Speaking on measures to control traffic, the sector commander said FRSC officers had been strategically positioned to stop motorists from driving against traffic.
“We have done a strategic deployment along the corridor. If you can see, no one is allowed now to drive against traffic.
“From Warewa, where people usually try to enter the long bridge, we refuse,” he said.
He admitted that the repair work has caused delays for motorists heading into Lagos but insisted that maintaining discipline is the only way to avoid a complete breakdown of traffic.
“Yes, people coming into Lagos will feel some pains because, as a result of the construction, there’s a form of backlog. But if it’s moving, it will be better than blocking both sides of the road,” he explained.
Hamzat warned that if motorists are allowed to drive one-way at critical points like the Opic turning, it could lead to total gridlock.
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“As it is now, people going out of Lagos towards Ibadan have free flow. People coming into Lagos have some element of backlog, which is not unexpected. All we need is discipline,” he said.
He also revealed that several motorists had already been arrested for violating traffic regulations.
“We have arrested some people who tried to drive against traffic, and they have been put in places where they may be fined, as well as presented before a court of competent jurisdiction,” he stated.
Hamzat assured that FRSC personnel would remain on the ground throughout the repair period, operating in shifts, and working alongside other security agencies to enforce compliance.
