…says motorists driving under drugs, alcohol influence, using phones behind wheel will face stricter enforcement

As part of its ember months traffic management strategy, the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) has launched Operation Safe Roads 2026 to reduce road accidents, fatalities and traffic congestion across the state from September to December.

The initiative, tagged “Safe Roads • Safe Drivers • Safe Vehicles • Safe Communities,” aims to intensify traffic law enforcement, enhance emergency response services and encourage responsible driving practices during the ember months.

The ember months is a period from September to December, which are usually characterised by increased travel for commercial, social, religious and festive activities, hence the establishment of the operation to curb crashes and enhance safety.

TRACE’s Most Senior Commander, Elias Omonayajo, said yesterday that the initiative was launched to enhance road safety, ensure smoother traffic movement and encourage motorists to comply with established traffic regulations throughout the ember months.

Omonayajo said that the campaign, themed “Think Safety First, Act Safely Always, Return Home Safely Every Day,” would target major highways, urban centres, accident-prone areas and key transport corridors across Ogun State.

He explained that the operation would employ a coordinated, intelligence-driven and service-focused strategy, with personnel stationed at strategic locations to prevent avoidable road accidents and ensure swift responses to emergencies.

The commander explained that the agency would strengthen monitoring and enforcement measures against traffic offices identified as major causes of road accidents and traffic congestion.

He said that offenders would be penalised for violations susch as over-speeding, reckless driving, street racing, dangerous overtaking and other unsafe driving practices that could endanger the lives of the motorists and other road users.

Omonayajo said that the operation would also target unroadworthy vehicles, faulty tyres, defective braking systems, overloaded vehicles, improperly secured cargo and other mechanical defects that could compromise road safety.

He said that motorists found driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, using mobile phones behind the wheel, operating vehicles without valid documents, driving against traffic or flouting lane discipline would face stricter enforcement measures.

The commander said that the operation also focused on clamping down on other traffic violations, including failure to use seat belts, dangerous U-turns, disobedience to traffic signals, unauthorised driving on road shoulders, illegal parking, and improper loading and off-loading of passengers or goods.

He said that the agency would move against roadside trading and other activities that obstruct traffic movement, particularly around markets, motor parks, commercial centres and busy urban roads.

Omonayajo explained that the measures were intended not merely to punish offenders but also to prevent avoidable accidents, protect pedestrians and motorists, and ensure that roads remain accessible to emergency responders.

He said that priority would be given to areas including the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Abeokuta metropolitan corridors, interstate routes, major entry and exit points, accident black spots, motor parks, markets, commercial centres, major intersections and religious or event centres.

The commander said that high-risk locations are expected to receive round-the-clock or extended-hour coverage where necessary, particularly during periods of heavy traffic and increased movement of people and goods.

He added that the operation would feature round-the-clock patrols, rapid-response and accident-response units, traffic control teams, intelligence and public enlightenment units, as well as recovery and towing coordination teams.