As demand for same-day deliveries, e-commerce services, and ride-hailing operations continues to rise, stakeholders have warned that pressure to meet delivery timelines and boost earnings would worsen reckless riding, speeding, and violations of other traffic regulations.

Transportation experts and regulators said many recent crashes were linked to speeding, rider fatigue, disregard for traffic rules, and unsafe riding practices.

Data from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) showed that dispatch-related road incidents rose from 187 in 2024 to 192 in 2025, and 42 cases were recorded in the first quarter of 2026.

The figures underscore the persistent safety challenges facing courier riders who navigate congested urban roads daily.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, also expressed concern about the role of traffic violations in dispatch rider accidents, noting that reckless riding and negligence are major causes of avoidable crashes.

He said stricter adherence to traffic regulations and greater investment in rider training would help reduce accident rates and improve public safety.

The General Manager of the Courier and Logistics Regulatory Department of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Gideon Shonde, in an interview with The Guardian, said that the pressure to meet customer expectations and delivery deadlines often pushes riders to exceed speed limits and violate traffic laws.

According to him, such practices not only endanger lives but also threaten the credibility and long-term sustainability of the courier industry.

Shonde declared that it was necessary for operators and the government to strengthen internal safety protocols and invest in rider education to curb the rising number of accidents and deaths.

He said: “Customers rely on riders to deliver safely and promptly, but pressure to meet targets often pushes some into reckless behaviour and traffic violations.”

Also, the Public Relations Manager of Bolt Nigeria, Femi Adeyemo, said the company has continued to implement initiatives to promote safer trips and deliveries on its platform.

Adeyemo explained that the e-hailing company regularly organises safety awareness and education programmes for courier partners, focusing on responsible road use, compliance with traffic regulations and safe riding practices.

He added that the company also collaborates with safety agencies such as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), LASTMA, and other relevant regulators and stakeholders to improve road safety standards through targeted training programmes for its riders.

He said that its riders recently attended training with the FRSC in Abuja, where they learned about traffic regulations and safe driving practices.

He said: “Road safety is a shared responsibility. Courier riders and drivers must obey traffic laws, avoid speeding, maintain roadworthy vehicles and prioritise safety over delivery timelines,” he said.

Also, Chief Executive Officer of Push Plus Logistics and Courier Company, Susan Emeka, said the company has adopted a combination of technology, training and operational controls to minimise accident risks.

According to her, Push Plus provides safety gear for riders and drivers and has installed tracking systems capable of sending alerts whenever a driver exceeds approved speed limits.

She added that the company conducts weekly safety sensitisation sessions, routine vehicle inspections and maintenance and enforces driving-hour limits to reduce fatigue-related accidents.

“Safety remains a core part of our operations. Beyond providing protective equipment, we leverage technology to monitor driver behaviour, conduct regular training and ensure our vehicles are in good condition.

“We also enforce driving-hour regulations to reduce fatigue and enhance road safety,” Emeka said.

The President of the Professional Logistics Association, Shielu Olajuwon, advocated the enforcement of a 70-kilometre-per-hour speed limit for dispatch riders.

He maintained that excessive speed significantly reduces rider control, particularly when carrying parcels and heavy loads.

He also called for stronger regulation of operators and increased safety awareness across the industry to prevent high calamities among the riders.

With Nigeria’s logistics and delivery market expected to continue expanding alongside digital commerce, Olajuwon believed that sustained investment in rider training, technology-driven monitoring systems and stricter compliance with traffic laws was important to reducing accidents and safeguarding lives on the nation’s roads.