Mile 12-Ikorodu BRT Lane Tragedies: Who’s to Blame? | ClipTV Online

The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridor for Mile 12 – Ikorodu, which was officially lunched in November 2015, was designed to ease traffic congestion. It is also to enhance road safety along the route.

As part of its operational guidelines, only BRT buses were permitted to ply the dedicated lane, while private and public motorcycles, as well as other vehicles, were strictly prohibited to minimize accidents and ensure smooth transit.

To ensure compliance, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor has approved a dedicated BRT monitoring taskforce to ensure adherence. The monitoring team has since been policing the corridor, ensuring that unauthorized vehicles stay off the BRT lane, even during severe traffic gridlocks.

Recurring Tragedies: A Call for Concern

Despite these safety measures, accidents continue to happen on the BRT lane which has claimed the lives of road users. Many of these motorist are breadwinners of their families. On Wednesday morning, around 10:40 AM, another tragic incident took place near Adekunle Bus Stop, Mile 12, where a motorcyclist was found with a fatal head injury after an accident on the BRT lane.

This raises concerns questions on who is responsible for these claim of lives? Could these have been prevented? What must change to ensure safety on the BRT corridor?

Allegations Against the BRT Monitoring Task Force

Though the enforcement and monitoring team was created to maintain order and preserve lives, there have been growing concerns about their shift in terms of priorities.

BRT Corridor Extortion

Some motorists have alleged the monitoring enforcement are focusing on extorting road users rather than ensuring safety and compliance.

If true, this shift in focus may be worsening road safety violations, as unauthorized vehicles—such as motorcycles—are still finding their way onto the BRT corridor, leading to fatal crashes.

What Can Be Done Differently?

To curb further loss of life and improve road safety along the Mile 12 – Ikorodu corridor, the following steps may need to be considered:

1. Stronger Enforcement of Traffic Laws:

The Lagos State Government must ensure that BRT monitoring officers remain focused on their core duty. The responsibility of preventing unauthorized vehicles and motorbikes from using the BRT lane.

Automated monitoring and CCTV camera systems may be introduced to track and penalize BRT corridor offenders. These will mitigate human interference, it will further reduce opportunities for bribery. Just like the current traffic lights that captures plate numbers when traffic light is violated.

2. Improved Public Awareness and Alternative Routes:

Many commuters, especially motorcyclists, may not fully understand the dangers of using the BRT lane. Massive public awareness campaigns needs to be relaunched to educate people.

3. Reviewing the Efficiency of the BRT System:

The government should investigate if the BRT service capacity meets public demand. If BRT buses are inadequate or inefficient, commuters might resort to risky alternatives such as the motorbikes.

Introducing more buses and optimizing schedules could reduce congestion. It will as well discourage people from violating the BRT lane rule. For example, during the close of work each day, commuters crowd the Obalende, TBS, Maryland, Ojota, Ketu, and other areas heading to Ikorodu. Some resort to taking bikes.

4. Emergency Response and First Aid Training:

Accidents will always happen, but a well-equipped emergency response team can reduce the fatality rate.

BRT officers and local transport workers should receive first aid training to provide quick medical attention before emergency services arrive.

Conclusion

The Mile 12-Ikorodu BRT corridor was meant to improve road safety, but frequent accidents and loss of lives raise serious concerns. While reckless road users share some responsibility, there is an urgent need for better enforcement, improved infrastructure, and public sensitization on the adverse effects of motorbikes plying the BRT corridor.

The Lagos State Government, BRT monitoring task force, and road users must work together. This will restore the safety and integrity of the BRT lane, ensuring that no more lives are lost unnecessarily.