Friday, 17 August 2012

ROAD USERS AND THE NEW LAGOS TRAFFIC LAW


This is not the first time a law would be passed in Lagos or Nigeria as a whole. Passing of laws in Lagos is a regular phenomenon with the state. The crux of the matter is not just the passing of laws but how far its machineries have been able to enforce these laws and on the other hand how road users such as ‘Danfo’ drivers, private car owners, ‘Okada’ riders, etc have reacted to the new law.
It is true that in a situation like this the police force, and other relevant agencies are to enforce the law but this task is carried out with the aim of making money. It no gain saying that some bad elements within the
Police force collect money from traffic violators and thus allow them to go without due punishment.
Interested observers plying Mile 2 to Okoko express way should halt at Barrack bus stop and have a view of the madness going on every evening between the hours of 5pm to 10pm. There is a police station at Barrack bus-stop yet this does not perturb the uniform men who with all ease collect money from ‘Danfo’ drivers and allow them drive one way, thereby obstructing the legitimate road users.
More saddening and disheartening, the police and army lead the one way illegal driving from barracks to Volks- One dare not stop them.
In fact the very day the traffic law was passed, commercial bus drivers, and ‘okada’ riders drove against the traffic. Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) is trying but uniform men should be used as scapegoat while the offenders must be severely punished.
Mr Governor let no sinner go unpunished.

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