LASTMA seeks transport unions’ support to improve traffic flow in Lagos

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has reached out to transportation unions, urging them to join forces in enhancing traffic flow and fostering responsible road usage throughout Lagos. This call to action came during a recent meeting with leaders and members of various transportation unions and other relevant stakeholders in the Ikeja area of the state.

During this traffic advocacy and public enlightenment session, LASTMA officials emphasized the importance of voluntary compliance with traffic regulations and improved road safety. They educated union members on the need to adhere to traffic rules, practice disciplined driving, follow appropriate loading and unloading procedures, park responsibly, and steer clear of actions that could lead to traffic congestion or endanger other road users.

LASTMA emphasized that transport operators bear a significant responsibility beyond merely transporting passengers. They highlighted that commercial drivers and union members play a crucial role in maintaining order, safety, and smooth movement on Lagos roads. Drivers were cautioned against practices such as indiscriminate parking, illegal U-turns, blocking traffic lanes, reckless overtaking, picking up or dropping passengers at unauthorized locations, driving against traffic, and other behaviors that could disrupt the smooth flow of vehicles.

The meeting also provided LASTMA officials with an opportunity to address the operational challenges faced by their members. In response, LASTMA's General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, stressed that lasting improvements in traffic management cannot be achieved solely through enforcement. He highlighted the significance of ongoing public enlightenment, consultation, and collaboration with transport stakeholders.

Bakare-Oki stressed that transportation unions are uniquely positioned to influence the behavior of their members and contribute to the restoration and maintenance of traffic discipline across Lagos. He urged union leaders to prioritize regular sensitization of their members, ensuring that drivers under their associations understood the consequences of violating traffic rules.

Bakare-Oki further emphasized the broader impact of indiscipline on other road users, urging transport operators to take responsibility for their conduct on the roads.

LASTMA called on transport operators, motorists, and other road users to view traffic regulations as measures designed to safeguard lives, prevent accidents, and facilitate the smooth movement of people and goods across the state. The agency reiterated that responsible road use and cooperation among transport stakeholders are vital for achieving safer and more efficient traffic management in Lagos.