The Lagos State Special Offences Mobile Court has warned recalcitrant motorists fond of violating the traffic laws of the State to desist or be ready to face the consequences of their actions under the Law.
The Coordinator , Special Offences Mobile Court, Mrs. Arinola Ogbara gave the warning on Thursday during an awareness and sensitisation campaign to road users and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), on the need to obey the State Traffic laws.
The Coordinator noted that the agency decided to embark on the sensitisation tour in order to declare a zero tolerance for violation of traffic offences and create more awareness on the dangers of driving against traffic (One Way) as well as other traffic offences stating that this will go a long way in eradicating these offences.
“The mobile court has deemed it necessary to sensitise members of the public on zero tolerance for violation of traffic offences such as driving in a direction prohibited by law, driving on designated BRT Corridor and obstruction of vehicular traffic on the highway amongst others”.
She noted that these traffic offences are strict liability offences and punishable under the Transport law of Lagos State 2018 while stating that the mobile courts are not out to victimise road users but to ensure that sanity prevails on the roads.
“The penalty for driving against traffic (One-Way) is forfeiture under the State transport law 2018 and there is no fine for that” the coordinator warned.
“Members of the public particularly road users are enjoined to desist from violating traffic laws but partner with the State Government towards ensuring the preservation of lives and properties as well as the free flow of traffic movement on the highway” Ogbara posited.
The Chairman of the NURTW Lagos Chapter, Mr. Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, better known as MC Oluomo during the advocacy campaign noted that Lagos remains one of the union’s major chapters with huge membership.
Adding that the NURTW under his leadership will ensure that the Statr transport union members co-operate with the State Government in order to ensure that commercial bus drivers also known as ‘Danfo Drivers’ obey the traffic laws and guidelines”
“The constitution of the union stipulates that members must work with the government to ensure peaceful coexistence,” he added
The union leader urged members of the union to adhere strictly to the State’s Traffic Law and whosoever goes against it will face the full wrath of the State Government and be prosecuted accordingly.
The team also went around Ikeja, Agege and Oshodi visiting motor parks and advocating safe driving to commuters and drivers.
