Ember months: LASTMA deploys 24-hour traffic strategy, warns motorists against recklessness

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has unveiled a 24-hour traffic management strategy for the Ember Months and festive season, warning motorists and commercial transport operators against reckless driving, speeding, illegal parking and other practices capable of worsening traffic congestion across the state.

The intensified operation, according to the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, is aimed at ensuring smoother traffic flow as vehicular and pedestrian movements are expected to increase significantly during the festive period.

Bakare-Oki said LASTMA had commenced comprehensive operational preparations, with personnel and specialised response teams to be strategically deployed to major interchanges, bridges, arterial roads, transport terminals, commercial districts and other identified traffic-prone locations.

He explained that the strategy would combine real-time traffic monitoring, strategic corridor management, intersection control, traffic-flow optimisation and rapid incident response to prevent minor disruptions from escalating into prolonged gridlock.

According to him, particular attention would be paid to vehicle breakdowns, road crashes, indiscriminate parking, illegal loading and off-loading and other obstructions that frequently impede traffic movement.

The LASTMA boss disclosed that the agency would also strengthen its accident and incident management system, including the prompt evacuation of crashed or disabled vehicles from carriageways to prevent secondary crashes and unnecessary congestion.

He added that tactical diversions and temporary traffic-control measures would be activated where necessary to ensure continuity of traffic flow.

Bakare-Oki stressed that the expected surge in festive traffic required stronger collaboration among relevant government agencies and stakeholders.

He said LASTMA would deepen operational cooperation with the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos Ambulance Service Agency, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, transport unions and other stakeholders for coordinated traffic control, emergency response and accident evacuation.

He appealed to motorists, particularly commercial drivers, articulated vehicle and tanker operators, to exercise caution and strictly obey traffic regulations.

Bakare-Oki specifically warned against speeding, reckless overtaking, driving against traffic (one-way), illegal parking and indiscriminate loading and off-loading.

He also advised motorists to conduct thorough checks on their vehicles before embarking on long-distance journeys, particularly the braking system, tyres, lights and other critical components.

The General Manager urged members of the public to report crashes, vehicle breakdowns, road obstructions and other traffic incidents through LASTMA’s toll-free short code 3367 to enable rapid intervention.

He assured Lagos residents and visitors that the agency remained committed to maintaining safe, efficient and resilient traffic movement throughout the Ember Months and festive season.

Bakare-Oki, however, emphasised that achieving seamless movement during the period would require not only professional traffic management and inter-agency coordination but also responsible behaviour by all road users.