Understanding The Lagos Traffic Law

opinion

By Tayo Ogunbiyi

Expectedly, the Lagos Traffic Law, signed into law on August 2, 2012 by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has generated lots of controversies.  While many see it as essential for the cleansing of the transport sector, others see it as phony, difficult to implement and high-handed. From debates on the law, it is obvious that the major reservation over it is its execution.

The recent ‘arrest’ of two military personnel,  by the  Lagos State governor, for plying lanes dedicated to the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, once again brought into the open  the issue of gross disregard for traffic rules and regulations in the state. It is not a mere coincidence that on same day that the governor, nabbed the two soldiers, a commercial bus driver running against  traffic killed an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, LASTMA. Similarly, Mustapha Adeleke, a LASTMA official, was recently crushed to death at his duty post in Oke- Afa, Ejigbo, by a commercial bus driver, who was driving against traffic.

Recent information from the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, reveals a 20 percent increase in road accidents in the country with Lagos accounting for the largest proportion. Sadly, human factor accounts for a greater percentage of road accidents in the country. In Lagos, for instance, motorists flout traffic laws at will as ‘Danfo’ ‘Molue’ drivers and commercial motorcycle (Okada) riders are notorious for contravening traffic laws. They drive against traffic, carry more than the required number of passengers, stop to pick passengers at un-designated places, over speed among many other appalling acts.

It is, therefore, vital that every effort by the government to sanitize the sector should be encouraged by all stakeholders. This is why it is essential that the people give the traffic law a chance. Nevertheless, it is important to examine some aspects of the law that have been subjected to unending public scrutiny. To start with, let us consider the aspect that recommends a test for the alcohol level of wayward motorists. Taking into consideration the way many commercial drivers operate, it might be true that some of them function under the influence of  alcohol, and perhaps other harder stuffs. This is partly responsible for the reckless manner they drive, putting the lives of commuters and others in avoidable danger. Hence, it is hard to fault this aspect of the law since its primary aim is to ensure that only sane men sit behind the wheels on our roads.  For the effectiveness of this law, an aspect of the law has placed a restriction on the open sale of alcoholic drinks in traffic and in motor parks.

Another part of the law that needs appropriate analysis is the one that outlaws smoking, eating and phone calls while driving. It is difficult to see the rationale behind any opposition against this particular portion of the law. For one, driving is a matter of life and death. It is, therefore, a matter of necessity that those who engage in it give it utmost concentration. It is important that motorists desist, as much as possible, from getting involved in actions that could distract them while driving. A moment loss of concentration, while driving, could lead to unimaginable losses. Evidence abounds of road accidents that were sparked off by motorists’ lack of concentration.

Another section of the new law that requires accurate analysis is the one that deals with driving against traffic popularly known as ‘one-way’ driving. Considering the level of havoc that driving against traffic has caused in the state, this section of the law is definitely spot on. It will be recalled that a LASTMA officer was recently crushed to death by a motorist driving against traffic along the Lekki-Epe expressway. Sadly, the culprit revealed, upon interrogation, that most of those that stay along the axis drive against traffic.  Consequently, the law against ‘one way’ driving is a welcome development. However, there is need to ensure that uniformed men, government officials and other VIPs who indulge in this practice  are dealt with in accordance to the spirit of the law. Interestingly, the state governor doesn’t drive against traffic.

Critics of the law have equally insinuated that it was inspired by the drive to generate revenue. However, in the words of the state governor “no amount of fines that we get can deliver on the economic prosperity that is possible if the Lagos traffic works’. Indeed, government makes more money when sanity prevails on the road. Ordinarily, the fear of paying the required fines should be enough for motorists to abide by the law.

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Perhaps, one issue that has been of major concern to most critics of the law is enforcement. Many fear that enforcing officers may turn it into a money making enterprise. Given the fact that there will always be bad eggs in any organization, there is fear that the powers conferred on LASTMA may be abused by some of its corrupt and overzealous officials. However, this is not enough justification to condemn the law in its entirety. Must the society be turned into a lawless jungle because we don’t have the ‘right’ men to enforce our laws? There is hardly any institution in the country that is wholly filled with the supposed ‘right’ men. Interestingly, the state government has demonstrated sufficient resolve to deal accordingly with erring government officials. It has dismissed and suspended some while it has instituted judicial procedure leading to the incarceration of others.

Nevertheless, the competence of traffic personnel to enforce the law need to be improved upon continuously  while appropriate use of technology should be incorporated into  enforcing the law. It is cheering to note that LASTMA officials are currently tapping into technology while discharging their duties. An example is the use of Auto Inspector- hand-held devices which enable traffic officers to track information about any car registered in Lagos and its owner.

On its part, government has been unrelenting in its effort to transform the transport sector. It has expanded and rehabilitated more roads while more inner roads are being opened up across the state. These are going alongside the provision of street lights, lane markings and provision of more bus terminals as well as the expansion of BRT operation. Presently, it has completed the design of  the expansion of  the Mile 12-Ikorodu road while contractors have been mobilized to continue work on the ambitious Lagos- Badagry expressway’s redevelopment incorporating 10 lanes on either side of the road, light rail,  BRT lanes among others .

Equally, water transportation is also progressing as the dredging and signalization of the 32km water route from Badore to Ijede has been completed. Similarly, the Badore and Ikorodu terminals have virtually been completed except for minor finishing works . Today, from one operation route in 2007,  water transport is running on 12 routes (Ikorodu-Marina/CMS; Marina – Mile 2; Ikorodu – Addax/Falomo; Ikorodu-Ebute Ero; Marina-Ijegun Egba-Ebute-Ojo; Mile 2 – Marina/CMS-Mekwen-Falomo; Badore – Ijede; Badore – Five Cowries; Marina – Oworonshoki; Ebute Ojo – Ijegun Egba; Oworonshoki – Five Cowries and Baiyeku – Langbasa) under the supervision of Lagos State Waterways Authority while passenger traffic has grown to over 1 million passengers per month and it is increasing.

Put alongside the laudable Lagos Traffic Radio innovation, introduction of BRT as well as other modern taxi schemes, establishment of Lagos Drivers’ Institute (with offices across the state’s five divisions), the sanitation of Oshodi and Apapa axis, junctions improvement programme, continuous clean-up of highways, continuous rehabilitation of roads, massive redevelopment of Business Districts among others, it will be unfair to accuse the state government of  inactivity in respect of the transport sector.

The primary goal of government’s massive investment in the sector is to ensure free flow of traffic, road safety and social – economic development.  Therefore, the urgent task before everyone is to give the new law a chance since it is mainly enacted to protect the people.

•Ogunbiyi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

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