Lagos renews restriction order on commercial motorcycles

You will recall that one event that has impacted on the state transportation sector was the signing of the State Road Traffic Law 2012 by the State Government on Tuesday, August 2, 2012.

The Lagos Road Traffic Law was aimed at ensuring sanity, standard, and safety of lives and properties of the people, security of road users and the entire citizenry as well as improving the living conditions of the people.

As part of the efforts of the government in curbing the menace of motorcycle operators popularly known as ‘’Okada’’ in the state, the Lagos state government came out with certain guidelines for the operations of commercial motorcycles on our roads.

These guidelines as stated in Section 3 and Regulation 16 Sub-section 4, 5 and 6 of the Road Traffic Law are includes the restriction of commercial motorcycles on 475 roads out of the 9,100 road network in the state, the wearing of standard crash helmet with full protection for both rider and passenger and  the carrying of only one passenger at a time.

The law also stipulates non-carriage of load at any time, non- carriage of children and pregnant women including non-operation of okada beyond 8.00pm in Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Ikeja and 10.00pm in other areas of the state

Furthermore, motorcycle (okada) operators must respect and obey all traffic laws and regulations which includes that no riding against traffic or in a direction prohibited by law, no riding on the kerb, median or road setbacks, obeying all traffic lights signals including red light and obeying all traffic signs especially where it concerns motorcycle (okada) operators

Due to the enforcement of the provisions of the 2012 Road Traffic Law, the permanent secretary disclosed that the number of motorcycles related accidents reported in the public health institutions and over 80% reduction in motorcycle related death reported at our public hospitals.

Lagos state also witnessed over 81% reduction in the number of Okada related deaths being drastically reduced from 192 per year to a maximum of 6 per year. A total of 465 lives were saved since October 2012 to date. The state prevented an average of 476 motorcycle related injuries monthly and 5,712 yearly. By implication, there was a total of 14,220 motorcycle accident related injuries prevented since 2012.

More recently, there were some months that the casualty rates were as low as zero percent to the extent that the so called ‘’Okada’’ wards at some of our public hospitals have become empty.

The permanent secretary regretted that, it is disheartening to see that motorcycle operators have resurfaced on our restricted roads especially in areas such as Ikeja, Isolo, Apapa, Agege, Epe, Ijede, Shomolu/ Bariga, Ifako Ijaiye/ Ojokoro, Ikorodu, Mushin, Ketu, Ojota, Lagos Island, Ojodu and Badagry in spite of the various efforts of the past administrations in the State to ensure that the menace of motorcycle operators is curbed and the rate of accident, injuries and death is reduced drastically in the State.

He warned that that henceforth, anyone found to have violated the Law shall be dealt with in accordance with the RTL 2012 Section 3 Subsection 5 which stipulates that “Any person who fails to comply with any of the provisions of this Section commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of three (3) years or render community service in accordance with the provisions of Section 347 of the administration of criminal justice law of Lagos State and have his vehicle forfeited to the state.

While the state is magnanimous enough not to have banned motorcycle operations like some other states government but rather restricted its activities, Lagos state government he warned will not hesitate to deal decisively with any operator who violates the Law in order to serve as deterrent to others.

To ensure enforcement and full compliance, the Nigeria Police, Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) have been directed to henceforth ensure full enforcement and zero tolerance.