The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) is strengthening its traffic control arrangements ahead of the busy Ember months and the approaching festive season, with the agency preparing to sustain round-the-clock operations across major parts of the state.
The move is aimed at managing the expected increase in vehicular and pedestrian movements as residents begin to travel more frequently, businesses experience higher commercial activities and visitors arrive in Lagos for the end-of-year celebrations.
LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare Oki, said the authority had commenced preparations to ensure that traffic congestion and road emergencies were handled promptly during the period.
He explained that the agency’s strategy would place particular emphasis on locations where traffic volume is usually high or where road incidents can quickly trigger long delays.
These areas include major interchanges, bridges, arterial roads, transport terminals, commercial districts and other identified congestion-prone corridors across Lagos.
According to him, the planned operation will involve a combination of increased surveillance, improved traffic control and faster intervention whenever incidents occur on the roads.
He said LASTMA personnel would be positioned strategically to monitor traffic conditions, detect emerging problems and respond before minor disruptions develop into prolonged gridlock.
Bakare Oki noted that effective management of intersections would also form part of the operation, particularly at locations where large volumes of vehicles converge during peak periods.
The authority is expected to deploy traffic management measures aimed at maintaining steady vehicle movement while reducing unnecessary delays at critical junctions and corridors.
Another major component of the plan, according to the LASTMA boss, is the rapid handling of road crashes and vehicle breakdowns.
He said the agency would strengthen its incident management and diversion arrangements to ensure that vehicles involved in accidents or those that break down on busy roads are removed without unnecessary delay.
The quick evacuation of such vehicles is considered important because a single obstruction on a major carriageway can significantly reduce road capacity and contribute to congestion over a wide area.
Bakare Oki also stressed the importance of preventing secondary crashes, particularly around accident scenes where motorists may slow down suddenly or stop to observe what has happened.
He said LASTMA would therefore continue to work with relevant emergency and security agencies to ensure that incidents are properly managed and affected routes are cleared as quickly as possible.
To achieve this, the traffic authority will collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos Ambulance Service Agency (LASA) and Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.
Transport unions and other stakeholders are also expected to contribute to the coordinated traffic management and emergency response efforts during the period.
The collaboration is expected to improve communication between agencies and ensure that traffic incidents requiring security, medical, rescue or evacuation support receive appropriate attention.
While outlining the operational preparations, Bakare Oki urged motorists to take personal responsibility for road safety and cooperate with traffic officials.
He particularly appealed to commercial transport operators, articulated vehicle drivers and tanker operators to exercise caution and comply fully with traffic regulations.
He warned road users against behaviours that could endanger lives or worsen congestion, including speeding, reckless overtaking, driving against traffic, illegal parking and indiscriminate loading and offloading.
Such practices, he noted, can obstruct traffic flow and expose motorists, passengers, pedestrians and other road users to avoidable risks.
The LASTMA management also advised motorists planning interstate or long-distance journeys during the festive period to ensure that their vehicles are properly checked before departure.
Bakare Oki identified the braking system, tyres and vehicle lights among the key components that should be examined before a journey.
He urged motorists not to wait until their vehicles develop faults on the highway before carrying out maintenance, noting that preventable mechanical problems can create serious traffic disruptions when they occur on busy roads.
The authority also wants members of the public to play a role in its traffic management efforts by reporting road emergencies as soon as they are noticed.
Bakare Oki encouraged residents and other road users to report crashes, broken-down vehicles and obstructions affecting traffic through LASTMA’s toll-free short code, 3367.
Early reports, he explained, would allow traffic officials to locate incidents and take necessary action more quickly.
The planned 24-hour operation comes at a period when Lagos typically experiences heightened movement as people travel for celebrations, shopping and other activities associated with the festive season.
With increased traffic expected on major roads, the effectiveness of traffic management will depend not only on the deployment of personnel but also on the cooperation of motorists and other road users.
Bakare Oki assured Lagos residents and visitors that LASTMA would remain focused on maintaining safe and efficient movement across the state throughout the Ember months and festive period.
He reiterated the authority’s commitment to responding to traffic incidents, managing congestion and working with relevant stakeholders to keep Lagos roads functional during the period of increased activity.