To what extent will Lagos speed limits enforcement be effective – Concerned Residents

By KEMI KASUMU

“The transportation systems, particularly the daily commuting buses and ‘danfos’, are not fit for the modern purpose. Because of illiteracy and police indifference to their public behaviour, most of the traffic violations are mainly traced to their unprofessional conduct, and most often, they get away from traffic crimes,” he said.

The recent release of speed limits for road users in Lagos State has sparked pockets of reactions from members of the society, who are seeking to know to what extent it is effective.

The DEFENDER recalls that Lagos State government had recently released specific speed limits for various roads as part of its smart traffic management system, which includes speed cameras to enforce these limits.

Key limits include 80 km/h on the Third Mainland Bridge, 60 km/h on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, and 50 km/h on the Ojota Bridge and Allen Avenue Road Junction. The enforcement aims to reduce accidents and improve public safety.

But some concerned members of the state community, who asked The DEFENDER to do more by asking the government and state commissioner of police some questions, wanted to know whether their enforcement will be strictly thorough to succeed or selective to fail.

One of them, who spoke under strict condition of anonymity, said, “Kindly request from the Commissioner of Transport whether NURTW public buses, VIPs’ cars, escort vehicles, and convoys of government official cars and unmarked cars are exempted from the speed limits for Lagos roads.

“These categories of road users are the greatest offenders in the traffic. NURTW commuter buses are not fit as public transport for human commuters, passengers, and goods conveyors. These buses cannot pass any road safety tests in any civilised clime. Most of the public transport vehicles have no insurance policy, road worthy licenses, and drivers with genuine insurance and license to drive on the road.

“The transportation systems, particularly the daily commuting buses and ‘danfos’, are not fit for the modern purpose. Because of illiteracy and police indifference to their public behaviour, most of the traffic violations are mainly traced to their unprofessional conduct, and most often, they get away from traffic crimes,” he said.

See details of speed limits in table below: