Across Nigeria’s major highways, pedestrian bridges stand largely deserted as many commuters ignore these lifesaving structures and instead dash across lanes of speeding traffic. This growing disregard for safe crossing points has contributed to a surge in road crashes, turning busy expressways into deadly killing fields where countless pedestrians lose their lives in avoidable tragedies. CHIJIOKE IREMEKA writes
What began as an ordinary morning ended in tragedy for a nursing mother who tried to dash across the ever-busy International Airport Road instead of using the government-provided pedestrian bridge.
Identified as Mojisola, the woman was struck by a speeding Toyota Highlander moments after stepping onto the expressway from the Mafoluku side of the 7 & 8 Bus Stop, Lagos.
A taxi driver, Segun Ajayi, who witnessed the tragedy, said the woman was attempting to cross to Ajao Estate when traffic appeared light, prompting several pedestrians to sprint across the highway. However, being among the last to cross, she was hit by the oncoming vehicle.
He told Saturday PUNCH that the victim did not properly look out for approaching vehicles but simply followed others across the road.
