LASTMA to aid operations with technology solution

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has adopted an innovative and technologically advanced way to support its operations in the State with the newly introduced Traffic Management Solution (TMS). The solution is an electronic gadget with a real time capture of pictures and video evidence of traffic violations as they occur, by LASTMA officials using handheld devices. It allows for review of all captured violations at a processing centre to ensure that they are valid offences and thereafter saved in secure data servers for future reference and recall.

Electronic notifications are immediately sent to the listed telephone numbers for each violation to notify the offenders of their pending processed violations and a link to enable them view the stored video and picture evidence of the violations.Speaking to journalists in Lagos, Comptroller of LASTMA, Isaac Adetimiro, explained that several other notification methods exist for the public to receive notifications or to check for any processed violations against their vehicles.

These methods according to him, include a freely downloadable mobile app – “TMS” – available on the Google Playstore, a public website (www.tms.lagosstate.gov.ng), as well as the use of SMS short codes which respond with violation status of the vehicle number used. Alleged offenders would also be issued a physical notification ticket, when their vehicle is located anywhere within the state.

He said every alleged offender has the right to challenge any notified violation in a traffic court, or waive such right and make payment of stipulated fines immediately, or within 48hours of issuance of a physical notification ticket. Where offenders opt to make payment of the stipulated violation fines, payment can be made via the available payment options – online via the website, the TMS mobile app, etc.

As a display of LASTMA’s commitment to ensuring the professional conduct of its staff and faster response to traffic situations and potential traffic causes, he explained the “Eye Witness” feature of the Mobile App which allows the public to report officers’ misconduct, bad roads, broken down vehicles, faulty traffic lights, faded road markings and any other situation that may impede free traffic flow.

Adetimiro said the innovative solution is a step in the right direction for traffic management in Lagos State, as it would substantially reduce the need for LASTMA officers to interact with motorists or stop any violating vehicles on the spot, which often escalates situations with the offenders, endangers the lives of the LASTMA officers, as well as compounds the traffic situation when such engagements are done on the roads.

He further stated that the pilot phase of the solution which is presently ongoing, is aimed at up skilling the traffic officers, and sensitizing of the general public of the solution. He explained that during this phase, offenders would not be fined, and all tickets issued would carry a zero Naira fine value. While the pilot phase is ongoing, the Lagos State Public Works Corporation would continue with the repairs of bad roads to make them more motorable while the Ministry of Transport would ensure that road signage, markings, traffic signs & lights are also repaired.

A robust public advocacy campaign will also be carried out across all digital and print media channels to keep the public well-informed on the traffic laws, various traffic violations, road signs, road markings and other relevant information as they may arise.