Sir, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the then Governor of Lagos State (1999-2007) and now the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, established the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) specifically on July 15, 2000, twenty-three years ago.
The quantum leap in traffic management in Lagos has brought a high degree of sanity, compliance, orderliness and reduction in accidents on our roads today.
LASTMA enforces traffic laws by ensuring compliance of motorists with the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law (2018) as amended. What has really changed about activities of LASTMA between year 2000 and now? LASTMA has expanded in operations and this led to the creation of more units and departments for effective traffic management in the State.
Guided by the operations of the Agency are 4 E’s of traffic arrangement which reflect the core duties of LASTMA. The first ‘E’ stands for Traffic Engineering and it explains the road design or construction and how the roads are to be used.
The next ‘E’ stands for Traffic Education/ Enlightenment as this explains road signs, traffic rules and regulation. Traffic Enforcement is what the third E denotes. This explains why traffic law breakers are made to face the full consequence of their actions.
The last E means Traffic Evaluation which gives room for assessment of LASTMA’s activities for the purpose of feedback.
Another visible change clearly noticed by many is the extra hours of work input by LASTMA personnel as they now run three shifts which are morning, afternoon and then the night shifts peculiar to the rescue unit of the Authority.The introduction of new modern technology in traffic management and control in Lagos State has brought significant change in the manner of operation of LASTMA personnel. The State Government has equipped LASTMA officers with new Traffic Management Solution (TMS) handheld cameras in order to capture real time traffic offences.
The TMS handheld camera is designed such that it captures traffic infractions from a distance and at real time with video evidence. Once you contravene any section of the 2018 law, and you are captured with this TMS camera, you will receive a notification containing a link on your mobile phone informing you of the fine, date and area where infraction is committed. The notification would also contain video evidence of the violator’s car including the vehicle registration number.
The offender has two options, that is, to either make fine payment or challenge the video. The payment options can be done via mobile app, website or bank channels. While the challenge options include mobile app, website or mobile court. The failure to pay due fines will result in denial of vehicle particulars renewal until all outstanding fines are cleared.
The use of TMS camera helps to discourage physical contact between LASTMA officers and traffic violators because video evidence is captured from a distance.
• Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, writes via [email protected]
