… As FRSC cautions motorists about “Black Spot” on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway***

Two persons died while 15 others sustained injuries on Saturday when a speeding DAF truck overturned at a diversion point on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The vehicle travelling towards Lagos was loaded with bags of onions and passengers when the incident occurred.

The accident which occurred around 6.30 a.m. led to gridlock as the truck emptied the onions and passengers on the road.

Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, who confirmed the incident, gave the number plate of the truck as RBH 214 XA.

“According to an eyewitness account, the vehicle was approaching the diversion when the driver lost control, probably as a result of over speeding.

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“It overturned in the process, spilling the onions it was carrying on the road, together with the 17 passengers atop the truck.

“Two of the passengers died on the spot while 15 others were injured,’’ he said.

Akinbiyi commiserated with the families of the deceased and warned drivers to reduce their speed while approaching diversions and construction zones in view of attendant consequences of overspeeding.

In the same vein, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun State on Sunday urged motorists to exercise patience, particularly around Berger area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Its Commander in the area, Mr Ahmed Umar, gave the admonition when he spoke with the newsmen at Ota, Ogun State.

“The FRSC has observed with dismay the rate at which crashes happen at a particular stretch of the expressway,’’ he said.

He explained that on Nov. 7, a gas tanker crashed and went into flames in the area injuring three persons.

He added that another lone accident which involved a truck loaded with onions and 27 people, occurred on Nov.13 at the same location.

The accident resulted in the death of two persons while 21 others were injured.

Umar told newsmen that multiple crashes which involved 12 persons and five vehicles were recorded at the same spot on Nov.14, but fortunately, no life was lost.

He noted that all the crashes were attributable to excessive speeding and fatigue on the part of drivers who equally were not observing the construction zone speed limit which is 50km per hour.

Umar urged motorists to be extra careful when approaching construction zones and to realise that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is still under construction

He implored motorists to obey traffic rules and regulations at all times.