Lagos Crash: LASTMA Blames Drunk Driving for Fatal Accident

A fatal midnight crash in Surulere has reignited calls for stricter enforcement against drunk driving in Lagos, after investigations confirmed that the deceased driver was intoxicated at the time of the accident.

According to eyewitnesses and forensic investigators, the victim, whose identity was not disclosed, lost control of his vehicle due to impaired judgment and delayed reaction caused by alcohol consumption.

The crash occurred along the Surulere corridor late Sunday night, leaving debris scattered across the road.

Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on night patrol responded swiftly, cordoning off the scene to prevent further accidents and notifying police from the Bode Thomas Division. After proper documentation, the victim’s body was released to his family.

LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved family while using the tragedy as a stern warning to other motorists.

“This unfortunate incident is a tragic yet sobering reminder of the fatal consequences of intoxicated driving,” he said in a statement issued by the agency’s spokesperson, Mr. Taofiq Adebayo.

Bakare-Oki reiterated LASTMA’s commitment to road safety, noting that the agency had recently launched an intensified campaign against drunk driving during its Ember Months Stakeholders’ Forum.

The Ember Months typically the year’s last quarter are often marked by increased road traffic and higher accident rates.

He urged motorists to remain alert, disciplined, and safety-conscious, stressing that many of the state’s road fatalities are preventable.

Data from LASTMA reveals that between January and September 2025, Lagos recorded 1,006 road crashes, resulting in 87 deaths and 666 injuries, with many linked to speeding and alcohol impairment.

As the festive season approaches, authorities warn that drunk driving remains one of the deadliest and most avoidable causes of road carnage across the state.