The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has announced a 24-hour traffic management operation across Lagos ahead of the Ember Months and festive season. This move aims to manage the expected increase in vehicular and pedestrian movement and prevent major roads from being overwhelmed by traffic. The operation will focus on real-time traffic monitoring, better control of major routes, and quick response to accidents and other incidents that could disrupt traffic flow.
According to the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, the agency will deploy officers and special response teams to traffic hotspots, major interchanges, bridges, arterial roads, transport terminals, and busy commercial areas across the state. The teams will pay particular attention to illegal parking, indiscriminate loading and offloading, road obstructions, and broken-down vehicles. Accidented and disabled vehicles will be removed quickly from carriageways to reduce the risk of prolonged traffic congestion.
The LASTMA boss stated that temporary traffic diversions and other control measures would be introduced when necessary to keep vehicles moving and prevent isolated incidents from causing widespread gridlock. He also announced stronger cooperation between LASTMA and other emergency and security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos Ambulance Service Agency, and Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.
The collaboration will focus on traffic control, accident evacuation, emergency response, and enforcement during the festive period. Bakare-Oki urged motorists, commercial transport operators, truck and tanker drivers, and other road users to obey traffic regulations and exercise caution. He warned against speeding, reckless overtaking, driving against traffic, illegal parking, and blocking traffic lanes.
Motorists travelling long distances are advised to check their brakes, tyres, lights, and other critical vehicle components before setting out. The LASTMA general manager also urged Lagos residents to report crashes, vehicle breakdowns, and other traffic incidents through the agency’s toll-free short code, 3367, to enable quick intervention.
The 24-hour traffic management operation is aimed at ensuring safe and efficient movement across Lagos throughout the Ember Months and festive season. LASTMA will work to prevent major roads from being overwhelmed by traffic and ensure that accidented and disabled vehicles are removed quickly from carriageways.
Bakare-Oki assured residents and visitors that LASTMA would remain committed to ensuring safe and efficient movement across Lagos throughout the Ember Months and festive season. He emphasized the importance of obeying traffic regulations and exercising caution on the roads.
Key points
- LASTMA to deploy officers and special response teams to traffic hotspots
- Agency to focus on real-time traffic monitoring and quick response to accidents
- Motorists urged to obey traffic regulations and exercise caution during the festive period
