LASTMA enlightens pupils on rules, regulations in traffic management

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has enlightened school pupils on rules and regulations in traffic management in the state.

General Manager, LASTMA, Bolaji Oreagba, while addressing pupils and children of Kids Court School, Surulere, Lagos, who visited the agency, charged them to be good traffic ambassadors and agents of change to their families, to ensure orderliness and safety always.

Oreagba said: “Students numbering over 50 (males and females) were educated on various traffic signs, which include prohibitory and warning signs, which must be obeyed by motorists on our roads.”

The General Manager, who was represented by Assistant Controller, Adeoye Oluyemi James, disclosed that students were enlightened on the negative impacts of traffic congestion on human life, and the need to regularly ensure free flow of traffic on roads.

Oreagba explained further that traffic management and control are central to human activities. According to him, traffic affects all aspects of human endeavours and pursuits as it determines travel time and arrival.

He emphasised on why students and other pedestrians must not walk on the road while backing traffic flow, crossing in between two big vehicles, crossing at non-Zebra crossing designated areas, and crossing on the highways including other road activities students should desist from for safety.

The General Manager confirmed that the Lagos State School Traffic Safety Advocacy Programme (LASTSAP) is a carefully designed and unique traffic education programme for primary/secondary school students aimed at developing a better understanding of road traffic safety/reducing the impact of trauma on our roads…it is also aimed at protecting the future and ensuring sustainable development by catching them young.”

He maintained that the youth segment is an essential key in the development of any nation, because they have the potential and capability to make change happen for themselves, their communities and the rest of the world.

Oreagba stressed that to enhance transparency and as part of modern technological innovations in addressing transport management challenges, the Lagos State Government recently deployed 500 Traffic Management Solution (TMS) devices (hand-held cameras) to personnel of the agency.

Earlier in her address, Key Stage Lead of the School, Oluwatunmise Oluwaseyi, thanked the entire LASTMA management for the time devoted to educate their pupils on laws pertaining to traffic management and control in Lagos.

She said that inculcating traffic/road signs into students at a tender age would go a long way in reducing all man-made infractions and accidents on roads.