Assessing The Impact Of The Lagos Traffic Law

By Taiwo Hassan

From all indications, the new traffic law in Lagos State is gradually beginning to impact on road safety, standard of driving in addition to the general well being of motorists in the state. Available statistics, from the managements of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), reveals that accidents rate as well as casualties figures from road mishaps have comparatively reduced. Particularly, commercial motorcycles related accidents have relatively reduced since the advent of the new traffic law.

It is, indeed, pleasing that commuting on Lagos roads is increasingly becoming better than it used to be. The recent decline in road accidents, as revealed by available data, calls for assessment and stock taking in respect of the traffic law. According to a data made available by LASTMA, between January and October, 2012, a total number of 124 people died in 619 road accidents involving 1,204 vehicles. The figure further reveals that 633 commercial and 571 private vehicles were involved in accidents resulting into loss of lives of 80 males and 480 females while 309 males and 172 females sustained serious injuries.  Within the same period, 94 of the accidents were fatal.

The months of September to December (commonly referred to as the ‘ember’ months) are usually critical period when higher accidents are recorded due to atmospheric condition of the time as well as the festive mood that usually pervades the air. In the past year, the months of September and October recorded a total of 183 road crashes a bit higher than 2011 rate. In the same vein, commercial motorcycle accidents, since the implementation of the traffic law, was 11 for the combined months of October and November compared to 33 in 2011. The number of person killed in ‘Okada’ accident in 2012 was 3 for the month of September and 1 for October respectively. This was much lower when compared to 14 deaths recorded in September and October 2011.

According to the Chief Medical Director of the Lagos State University Hospital (LASUTH), Professor David Oke the“ enforcement of the new traffic law has greatly reduced the number of accident victims received in the hospital and has also reduced cases of daily emergency by 60%. This has freed more bed spaces to accommodate other patients, unlike before when Okada accident victims dominated the expansive wards denying other patients of medical attention and facilities“. This was further corroborated by Dr. Mustapha Ibrahim of the same institution that prior to the law, the hospital received minimum of 40 to 45 Okada victims daily and both private and public hospitals across the state now record less accidents` victims than they do before the enforcement of the new law.

Going by this present scenario, it is expected that there would be more reduction in road accidents and carnage on our roads. This premise is further anchored on the fact that more people now align with the law through voluntarily compliance.

Expectedly, the security situation across the state is equally getting better. Thanks to the Traffic Law, especially the part that restricts ‘Okada’ from plying certain parts of the metropolis. A recent study revealed that out of the 30 armed robbery incidents recorded in Lagos between July and September this year, 22 involved commercial motorcycles. According to the records, it was obvious that out of eight robberies that occurred in July, seven involved the use of ‘Okada’ while it was also used in 10 out of 14 robberies in September and five out of eight robberies in August. Looking at available facts and figures, it is quite obvious that the restriction order placed on ‘Okada’ by the Traffic Law has helped, in small measure, in stemming the tide of robbery cases in the state.

Many have expressed fears that those saddled with the responsibility of enforcing the laws may turn it to a money making venture by unnecessarily ‘tolling’ commercial bus operators. Given the fact that there will always be bad eggs in every establishment, there is fear that the powers conferred on LASTMA may be abused by some of its corrupt and overzealous officials. This fear has, however, been allayed by LASTMA’s General Manager, Engr. Babatunde Edun. While reading the riot act to officials, Edun warned that government wouldn’t hesitate to prosecute or dismiss any crooked official. He advised the public to take note of names written boldly on the uniform of any erring LASTMA official and the time and place of commission of the offence. He said this would assist government to investigate the erring official. He added that complaints on the conduct of its official could be lodged at the LASTMA Command Centre, through text messages to 08023386921, or e- mail the Agency at [email protected].

It is pleasing that the government has unfolded plans to deepen the knowledge of the enforcers of the law, particularly officers of LASTMA in the use of modern technology in traffic management. There’s a lot of technology currently in use, which LASTMA officials are tapping into. An example is Auto Inspector- hand-held devices which enable traffic officers to track information about any car registered in Lagos and its owner.

The urgent task before every Lagosian today is to give the new law a chance since it is mainly enacted to protect the people. Lawlessness and social disorder don’t bring any good to any nation. A nation whose citizens derive pleasure in reckless and disorderly behaviours cannot achieve rapid social-economic transformation. Indeed, governance becomes easier and cheaper in a lawful and orderly environment. A few of the complications we experience in the polity today are the direct effect of the unruly and disorderly state of affairs in the country.

Indeed, the new law is a fulfilment of the promise made by the governor in his inaugural address at re-election, where he vowed to maintain law and order in the state. This is why all well meaning Lagosians must salute the state government for coming up with this law new traffic law. This is the only way forward for our society to move along the path of equality and orderliness.

•Taiwo, is of the Public Relations Unit, LASTMA, Oshodi.