The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has begun preparations for a 24-hour traffic management across the state to cope with increased vehicular and pedestrian movements during the Ember months and forthcoming festive season.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare Oki, said this on Sunday that the intensified operation would focus on major interchanges, bridges, arterial roads, transport terminals, commercial districts and other locations prone to traffic congestion.
He said the strategy would involve enhanced traffic surveillance, rapid incident detection and response, intersection control, traffic flow management and prompt removal of obstructions from carriageways.
Bakare Oki said LASTMA would also strengthen its incident management and diversion measures to ensure that accidented and broken down vehicles were quickly evacuated from the roads to prevent secondary crashes and prolonged congestion.
He said the authority would work 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 stakeholders to coordinate traffic control and emergency response during the period.
The LASTMA boss urged motorists, commercial transport operators, articulated vehicle and tanker drivers to obey traffic regulations and avoid speeding, reckless overtaking, driving against traffic, illegal parking and indiscriminate loading and off-loading.
He advised motorists embarking on long distance journeys to check their vehicles, particularly the braking system, tyres and lights, before departure.
Bakare Oki also urged road users to report crashes, vehicle breakdowns and other obstructions through LASTMA’s toll free short code, 3367, to enable the agency to respond quickly.
He assured Lagos residents and visitors of the authority’s commitment to maintaining safe and efficient traffic movement throughout the festive season.