STILL ON THE NEW LAGOS TRAFFIC LAW

16/08/2012.

STILL ON THE NEW LAGOS TRAFFIC LAW

Since the enactment of the new traffic law in Lagos state, it has generated comments and will continue to do so depending on which side of the divide one stands or from what perspective one looks at it. Also we have to bear in mind that it is very impossible to have a perfect law for any society in view of the fact that the only permanent thing in life is change of which the society and the law automatically are prone to.

But one indisputable truth which we cannot continue to tolerate and condone is the fact that the human lives maimed and lost, properties destroyed and man hours frittered away daily on our roads due to the indiscipline of road users urgently needs to be curbed which is what the new traffic law is meant to do. The level of indiscipline on our roads is a reflection of the gargantuan rot which pervades our national life and ought to be a source of worry to any right thinking and patriotic individuals and groups who are concerned about our tomorrow.

Just last year according to a report published by the World Health Organization, Nigeria was ranked 191 out of 192 countries in the world as having the second highest rates of road accidents that is consuming human lives at a rate of 162 per 100,000 persons not to mention unquantified economic value of lost time and properties. It was even clearly stated in that report that very soon the number of persons killed via road accidents in Nigeria will surpass deaths from malaria and tuberculosis. One only hopes we can appreciate the enormity of the task before us all if we are indeed serious of occupying our rightful place in the comity of serious people by taking every measure needed to mitigate this embarrassment.

Having examined the new Lagos traffic law viz a viz traffic laws in other African countries like Ghana, Egypt and South Africa, one can see a semblance of the provisions of the law in these countries. The only difference is the localization of the penalties based on prevailing socio economic circumstance in the countries which is permitted.

In analyzing the new Lagos traffic law, one must admit there are areas of concern that sectors of the transportation community would find fault with in view of its prohibitions on their activities one way or the other, but one must encourage them to continuously engage the state with a view to getting some considerations via amendments. However, the truth of the matter is that whichever way one looks at it, road users in Lagos behave more like demi gods unconcerned of the fact that the road is a public space in which consideration for others is the watch word.

Before implementing the law, the government must first of all take concrete steps to ensure that visible road signs and signals are erected to prevent motorists from unintentionally breaking the law in view of the fact that ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Also the government must open up the roads through rehabilitation of access streets roads to decongest the major roads and hinder people from being tempted to run foul of the new traffic law.

Another major area of concern with the new law is the orientation of traffic officers who are supposed to be embodiment of discipline in observing compliance with the law. The law enforcement personnel we must admit are themselves guilty of indiscipline just like the rest of the society. They must be re-oriented on the ethos of civility rather than the attitude of trying to make money at all cost by arresting motorists at the slightest opportunity. The government can also put in place measure to recognize this effort by instituting awards for the most civil officer in view of low arrest and public recommendation via the media.

However, one cannot but applaud the Lagos state government for taking the bull by the horn in arresting this social malaise called traffic indiscipline via the new traffic law because of its deterrent import designed to curtail the culture of impunity in our national life and which is also reflected in how we use the roads. After all, this new law might be the long sought after antidote to curbing the excesses of road users which the former law was unable to do.

We must as well commend the state government for embarking on sensitization of the citizenry with this new law which is in tandem with democratic values. Moreover, we must also commend the media for embarking on the sensitization exercise ahead of the government in view of the fact that already the fear of being caught on the wrong side of the law has started shaping people’s attitude on the road as we have began to see sanity being gradually restored which must be applauded for the public good.   

Thanks,

Your’s Sincerely,

Nelson Ekujumi,

Executive Chairman,

Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM).

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