By the time Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, finally signs
into law the new bill that will repeal and re-enact the road traffic law
and make provisions for road traffic and vehicle inspection in the
state, motorists and commercial motorcyclists, popularly called “Okada”
including bullion van drivers, might be in for a very tough time with
law enforcement agencies in the state.
The Lagos State House of Assembly, last Thursday, July 12, passed the bill , ready for Fashola’s assent.
The bill which emanated from the executive arm, is aimed at
regulating vehicular movement and to impose strict sanctions and
enforcement on any erring vehicle operator in the state.
2. Riding on the kerb, median or road setbacks
(Penalty) 1st time offender – N20,000.00 subsequent offender N30,000.00 or the riders motor-cycle will be impounded
3.One way driving
(Penalty) 3year jail term after psychiatric examination
4. Smoking while driving
(Penalty) N20,000.00 fine ( Any driver in Lagos State caught smoking while driving will now be made to pay N20,000 as fine in the new traffic law recently passed by the state House of Assembly.)
5. Failure to give way to traffic on the left at a roundabout
(Penalty) N20,000.00 fine 6. Disobeying traffic control
(Penalty) N20,000.00
7.Violation of route by commercial vehicles
(Penalty) N20,000.00 fine.
8. Riding motor-cycle without crash helmet for rider and passenger
(Penalty) N20,000: 00 or 3years imprisonment or both.
9. Under aged person, under 18yrs old riding a motorcycle
(Penalty) N20,000.00.
10. Driving without valid driver’s license.
(Penalty) Vehicle to be impounded.
11. Learner driver without permit
(Penalty) N20,000.00
12. driving with fake number plate
(Penalty) 1st offender N20,000.00 and 6 month imprisonment or both.
Stakeholders’ react
ACCORDING to Nurudeen Owodunni, a motorist; “for me, I support the
decision of the state government. This is because Nigerians especially
motorists need laws like this to abide by the traffic law of the state.
The havoc created by one way driving is more than the benefit that it
may bring to those engaging in it.
It causes accidents and it is the genesis of traffic in Lagos state.
But the aspect of the law that states jail term for anyone who drives
against traffic is cruel. If the government is bent on going ahead with
the law, they should also not spare officers of the Nigerian Army,
police and other security agencies in the state.
Mr. Gbenga Adebayo “For me it is good because it will bring sanity to
Lagos roads. They should arrest and impound any vehicles caught driving
against the traffic in the state.
A commercial driver, Mr. Samuel Anthony, “the government should not
think of introducing such law because those who drive against the
traffic do not do it out of proportion but because they are frustrated
with the level of traffic in the state caused by bad roads.
Whenever it rains in Lagos, larger percent of roads in the state will
not be motor able. Before the rain, some of these roads are in poor
condition. And when it rains, the some sections of the road are totally
out of use because it is either water-logged or damaged by the flood.
Mr. Ishaq Jato, “Before the law can be effective, there is need for
the government to provide certain things. First, the state government
needs to revitalise the water and rail transport system to serve as
alternative means of transportation in the state.
Mr Andrew Oke, an Okada rider, said: “Lagos state is looking for a
way to ban us the Okada that is why they are coming out with this
stringent law. It is unnecessary and anti people. If a ban is placed on
Okada operation, movement within the congested city of Lagos will be
hampered while many will be thrown into unemployment market. We are not
armed robbers. After all, many of the Okada riders are unemployed
graduates.”
SOURCE 1
SOURCE 2
