The Lagos State Government has demonstrated its resolve to fully enforce the extant traffic law in the state with stiffer measures against road traffic offenders with the commissioning of Special Offences Mobile Courts.
Speaking at the event today, the Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Oluwafunmilayo Atilade, said that the era of recklessness and impunity on public roads and highways in the state are gone, warning Lagosians, who are in the habit of contravening the state traffic laws, to have a re-think as they would soon be held accountable for their deeds.
She said the establishment of the Mobile Courts is important in view of the prevailing circumstance on our roads and the need to inject sanity into a near chaotic situation, stressing that the Judiciary is committed to giving the necessary support to the State Government for the successfully implementation of its policies and programmes.
While noting that the inauguration of these mobile courts is a positive step in the right direction, Atilade maintained that for the project to succeed, we need the full support and cooperation of members of the public, the relevant law enforcement agencies and traffic officers.
While calling for collective efforts to ensure a safe and orderly society, the Chief Judge assured all that the Mobile Courts will deliver effectively on its mandate, promising that the vehicles will be adequately maintained.
On his part, the State Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, pointed out that the Special Offences Court (Mobile) was established to try essentially environmental offences and vested with the powers to sit at any convenient place close to the scene of the commission of such offence.
While noting that the Mobile Courts will facilitate prompt and immediate trial of traffic and environmental offenders, Kazeem emphasised that each of the courts would be strategically positioned across the state, and presided over by experienced and knowledgeable Magistrates.
Kazeem explained that the procedure before the mobile court, as stipulated in the enabling Law, is summary in nature but will certainly operate in accordance with the rules of natural justice, equity and good conscience in line with constitutional provisions of fair hearing.
The Attorney-General averred that the commissioning of the Five Mobile Courts Buses is a symbolic indication of some of the most important policies of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode led administration on law and order, which rest on the premise that no society will thrive in an atmosphere of lawlessness and disorder.
The commissioner reiterated his commitment to a robust justice sector, prison decongestion, security service, speedy criminal justice, juvenile sentencing and rehabilitation, easy access to justice, enforcement of court decisions, respect for human rights, child abuse, gender-based crimes and active use of technology and forensics to fight crime.
Under the Lagos traffic law:
1. Driving in a direction prohibited by the Road Traffic Law; (that is driving against traffic, popularly known as “One Way” driving) now attracts a 3-year jail term, while a first offender gets one year term and the vehicle forfeited to the state government.
2. Bullion vans are not exempted from the law as any bullion van driven in a direction prohibited by the Road Traffic Law will be forfeited, while abandoned vehicle on Highway will be fined N50,000.00 or three years imprisonment, or both fine and imprisonment.
3. Riding a motor-cycle against traffic and riding on the kerb, median or road setbacks will attract N20,000.00 for 1st time offenders, while subsequent offenders will get N30,000.00 (thirty-thousand Naira) fine or the riders’ motor-cycle will be impounded.
4. Smoking while driving will attract N20,000.00 (twenty thousand Naira).
5. Failure to give way to traffic on the left at a roundabout attracts N20,000.00 (twenty thousand Naira).
6. Disobeying traffic control is N20,000.00 (twenty thousand Naira)
7. Motorcycles and Tricycles are prohibited from riding on major Highways in the state. The Highways are Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Oworonshoki – Ikorodu, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway and Babangida Boulevard Way. Others are Lekki-Epe Expressway, Funsho Williams Avenue, Agege Motor Road and Eti-Osa-Lekki coastal road.
8. Violation of route by commercial vehicles will attract N20,000.00 (twenty thousand Naira)
9. Riding motor-cycle without Crash Helmet for rider and passenger will attract N20, 000.00 (twenty thousand Naira) or 3 years imprisonment or both.
10. Prohibits under-aged person, under 18 years old from riding a motorcycle and the fine for this is N20,000.00 (twenty thousand Naira).
11. Operating a motor-cycle in a restricted area or prohibited route will attract a fine of N20,000.00 (twenty thousand Naira) or his motor-cycle will be impounded.
12. Any person driving without a valid Driving License will have his/her vehicle impounded. Learner drivers without permit will attract a fine of N20,000.00 (twenty thousand Naira) while driving with fake number plate will attract N20,000.00 (twenty thousand Naira) for 1st offenders and 6 months imprisonment or both for subsequent infractions.
13. Medical Emergency Vehicles can drive through traffic
News Express