Lagos enhances traffic safety education for school children

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has intensified its Lagos State School Traffic Safety Advocacy Programme (LSTSAP) under the visionary initiative tagged “Operation Catch Them Young.”

This meticulously crafted programme is designed to foster a profound understanding of road safety principles while mitigating traffic-related hazards.

The initiative, which was relaunched recently, has been reinvigorated to ensure broader reach and heightened impact.

Through this advocacy drive, LASTMA officials systematically engage secondary school students across Lagos State’s six educational districts, equipping them with crucial knowledge of traffic signs, regulations and safety protocols on every Wednesday of the week.

Reiterating the programme’s significance, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, underscored that embedding traffic consciousness in young minds is pivotal to nurturing a disciplined and law-abiding society.

He emphasized that early exposure to road safety tenets not only enhances pedestrian and commuter safety but also fosters a generation of responsible road users—whether as future drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians.

According to Giwa, “The revitalization of ‘Operation Catch Them Young’ is in alignment with the State Government’s commitment to a safer, more orderly, and seamlessly structured transportation system. By empowering students with critical traffic knowledge, Lagos State is proactively shaping a future where adherence to road regulations becomes instinctive among its citizens.”

This initiative will continue its extensive rollout across various schools, ensuring a lasting imprint on the consciousness of young children and fostering a culture of responsible road use from the grassroots level.

Furthermore, in a bid to provide a holistic and engaging experience, the initiative incorporates excursions, career day events, interactive road safety games, essay competitions, and dedicated outreach programmes for schools catering to students with special needs.

This transformative advocacy campaign will continue its extensive rollout across various schools, leaving an indelible impact on young children and fostering a sustainable culture of responsible road use at the grassroots level.