LASTMA announces 24-hour traffic

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has announced a 24-hour traffic management operation across Lagos ahead of the Ember Months and festive season.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the move was aimed at managing the expected increase in vehicular and pedestrian movement and preventing major roads from being overwhelmed by traffic.

Bakare-Oki said LASTMA officers and special response teams would be deployed to traffic hotspots, major interchanges, bridges, arterial roads, transport terminals and busy commercial areas across the state.

He said the operation would focus on real-time traffic monitoring, better control of major routes and quick response to accidents, vehicle breakdowns and other incidents that could disrupt traffic flow.

The LASTMA boss said the agency would pay particular attention to illegal parking, indiscriminate loading and offloading, road obstructions and broken-down vehicles.

He added that accidented and disabled vehicles would be removed quickly from carriageways to reduce the risk of prolonged traffic congestion.

Bakare-Oki said temporary traffic diversions and other control measures would be introduced when necessary to keep vehicles moving and prevent isolated incidents from causing widespread gridlock.

He also announced stronger cooperation between LASTMA and other emergency and security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos Ambulance Service Agency and Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.

According to him, the collaboration would focus on traffic control, accident evacuation, emergency response and enforcement during the festive period.

Bakare-Oki urged motorists, commercial transport operators, truck and tanker drivers and other road users to obey traffic regulations and exercise caution.

He warned against speeding, reckless overtaking, driving against traffic, illegal parking and blocking traffic lanes.

He also advised motorists travelling long distances to check their brakes, tyres, lights and other critical vehicle components before setting out.

The LASTMA general manager urged Lagos residents to report crashes, vehicle breakdowns and other traffic incidents through the agency’s toll-free short code, 3367, to enable quick intervention.

He assured residents and visitors that LASTMA would remain committed to ensuring safe and efficient movement across Lagos throughout the Ember Months and festive season.