By Peace Udugba — The Daily Torch Media
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) is set to intensify traffic operations across Lagos with a 24-hour traffic management strategy as the state prepares for increased vehicular and pedestrian movement during the Ember Months and forthcoming festive season.
The new operational strategy is aimed at reducing congestion, improving traffic flow, responding quickly to road incidents and ensuring smoother movement across major roads and transportation corridors in Lagos.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, disclosed this while outlining the Authority’s preparations for the expected increase in traffic volume during the festive period.
According to him, LASTMA is recalibrating its operations to strengthen traffic surveillance, improve incident detection and ensure faster response to emergencies and traffic disruptions.
LASTMA Targets Lagos Traffic Hotspots
Bakare-Oki said personnel and specialised response teams would be strategically deployed to congestion-prone locations, major interchanges, bridges, arterial roads, transport terminals and commercial districts across the state.
He explained that the intensified operation would rely on real-time traffic monitoring, strategic corridor management, intersection control, traffic-flow optimisation and rapid incident-response mechanisms.
Particular attention, he said, would be given to traffic disruptions caused by vehicle breakdowns, road crashes, indiscriminate parking, illegal loading and off-loading, road obstructions and other activities capable of disrupting traffic flow.
The LASTMA boss also disclosed that the Authority would strengthen its traffic diversion and incident-management mechanisms to ensure that accidented and disabled vehicles are quickly removed from carriageways.
Where necessary, tactical diversions and temporary traffic-control measures would be introduced to prevent traffic disruptions from spreading to other parts of the road network.
Police, FRSC, LASEMA, Fire Service to Collaborate
Bakare-Oki stressed that the anticipated intensity of festive-season traffic required stronger cooperation among government agencies and other stakeholders.
He said LASTMA would deepen operational collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos Ambulance Service Agency (LASA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, transport unions and other relevant stakeholders.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen coordinated responses to road crashes, vehicle breakdowns, traffic control, emergency situations and other incidents capable of causing prolonged congestion.
LASTMA Warns Motorists Against One-Way Driving, Reckless Overtaking
The LASTMA General Manager urged motorists, commercial transport operators, articulated-vehicle and tanker drivers and other road users to exercise greater caution during the Ember Months.
He specifically warned against speeding, reckless overtaking, driving against traffic (one-way), illegal parking, indiscriminate loading and off-loading and obstruction of traffic lanes.
According to him, such practices could trigger road crashes, endanger lives and worsen congestion across the state.
Bakare-Oki also advised motorists planning long-distance journeys to conduct thorough vehicle safety checks before departure.
He listed braking systems, tyres, lighting systems and other critical vehicle components among the areas motorists should inspect before travelling.
LASTMA Gives 3367 Emergency Hotline
The Authority also encouraged Lagos residents and visitors to promptly report road crashes, vehicle breakdowns, obstructions and other traffic-related incidents.
Members of the public can contact LASTMA through its toll-free short code, 3367, to facilitate rapid intervention and reduce the time required to clear incidents from the roads.
Bakare-Oki assured Lagos residents and visitors that LASTMA remained committed to maintaining safe, efficient and resilient traffic movement throughout the Ember Months and festive season.
He appealed for the cooperation of motorists and other stakeholders, stressing that smooth festive-season mobility would require effective traffic management, technology, inter-agency cooperation and responsible behaviour by road users.
Tags:
LASTMA, Lagos traffic, Lagos traffic news, Ember Months, traffic management, Lagos State, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, 24-hour traffic, FRSC, LASEMA, Lagos motorists, road safety, Lagos traffic congestion, festive season
