The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has urged dispatch riders and courier operators to avoid reckless driving and comply with traffic regulations to improve road safety across the state.

The advice was given during a strategic stakeholders’ engagement with courier and dispatch riders held yesterday at the LASTMA headquarters in Oshodi under the theme, “Ride Smart, Stay Alive.”

The event brought together courier operators, dispatch riders, transport unions, security agencies, road safety advocates and government officials to address the growing number of accidents involving dispatch riders and commercial motorcyclists in Lagos.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, the Director of Transport Operations, Olasukanmi Ojowuro, stressed the importance of responsible riding habits, compliance with traffic laws and prioritising safety on Lagos roads.

Ojowuro said the engagement became necessary due to the increasing cases of traffic violations, reckless riding and fatal crashes involving dispatch riders in different parts of the state.

He also reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to protecting lives and property through transportation reforms, sustainable policies and continuous engagement with stakeholders in the sector.

According to him, traffic regulations should be seen as safety measures designed to protect lives and ensure smooth vehicular movement, rather than as punitive actions.

Earlier, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described dispatch riders as critical contributors to the movement of goods and services within Lagos’ growing commercial environment.

He disclosed that operational reports for 2025 showed that more than 862 crash victims were rescued through emergency interventions, while over 16,641 vehicles were impounded for various traffic offences.

Bakare-Oki added that several fatal accidents involving dispatch riders had occurred along major routes, including Eko Bridge, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Otedola Bridge axis, Ikorodu Road, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway and railway crossing points around Ikeja.

He identified the major causes of the crashes as reckless overtaking, driving against traffic, fatigue caused by long working hours, poor motorcycle maintenance, traffic light violations, use of mobile phones while riding and failure to wear safety gear such as crash helmets and reflective jackets.

According to him, every avoidable crash involving a dispatch rider serves as a painful reminder that safety must remain a top priority.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, urged courier companies and dispatch operators to provide regular safety training, proper rider documentation and stronger monitoring systems to promote accountability and professionalism among riders.

He also advised dispatch riders to remain security conscious while carrying out their operations across the state.

Participants at the event commended LASTMA for organising what they described as a timely initiative aimed at improving road safety and strengthening coordination within the dispatch operations sector in Lagos.

Also speaking, the General Manager of the Courier and Logistics Regulatory Department at the Nigeria Postal Service, Gideon Shonde, said the courier business involved high levels of risk and identified trust and time management as essential elements for successful delivery operations.

The programme featured interactive sessions, safety sensitisation lectures and discussions on measures needed to improve operational standards and regulatory compliance among dispatch riders.

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 Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and other transportation and emergency response agencies.