A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Segun Olulade, has called on every motorist in the state to comply with the Lagos State Traffic Law 2012, noting that it will help to curb the incessant gridlock in the state.
Olulade, who was reacting to complaints of some Lagosians on the persistent traffic jam in the state, explained that some drivers have taken advantage of the pronouncement by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode that officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) should stop impounding vehicles.
The lawmaker, who represents Epe Constituency 2 in the House, stated that the governor’s statement was not made to make drivers become disobedient to the traffic law which is still in place.
“Lagosians, especially motorists, commuters and every other road user should understand that the traffic law was passed by the House of Assembly and was signed into law by the executive arm and this law is still very much in place. To this end, everyone must be civilised and obey the law.
“The governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in his wisdom, has urged men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority to stop impounding vehicles because he believes so much in doing things in a civilised manner.
“In civilised societies, you will never see traffic officers running after a motorist or jump into someone’s vehicle all because that person committed a traffic offence. That is where Lagos State is going; it shouldn’t be until LASTMA officials entered into our vehicles that we will obey traffic rules.
“All road users should learn to obey traffic rules and be civilised while on the road. The fact that the governor made that pronouncement that no vehicle should be impounded doesn’t mean we should start breaking the laws,” he said.
Olulade, however, urged men of the LASTMA to continue the good works they have been doing by enforcing the law and coordinating movement of vehicles on Lagos roads, just as he appealed to motorists to continue to be orderly and obey traffic officers.
“LASTMA officials and police shouldn’t stop the enforcement of the laws; they should ensure that they use best practices in the discharge of their duties. We should all remember that the government is doing everything to ensure that issue of traffic is addressed, so we must cooperate with government in order to achieve this,” he added.
