gramci:

Not as simple as you think, the new LSG traffic law will have a lot of unintended consequences.

baslone:

Only if you have experienced the lastma torture.

Jakumo: A good lawyer will establish that the motorist ran over that individual either out of fear that the road-block had been set up by robbers, as a result of mechanical failure in the speeding vehicle's brakes and or steering, or due to instinctual evasive driving caused by the sudden appearance of an unexpected road-block erected at an unsafe location.

Future Nigerian President Fashola must, in his capacity as Lagos State governor, emulate other industrialized nations of the Western world by assigning all traffic law enforcement duties to municipal officers whose duties are limited to the issuance of traffic citations payable in the court of jurisdiction applicable to the location where the offence was alleged to have occurred.

Every legally registered vehicle that plies Nigerian roads is owned by an individual or corporation of KNOWN identity and street address. Within all cities, parking violation notice tickets can be taped to the front windows of short-term parking offenders, while the tow-truck removal of abandoned vehicles should be a matter of routine, in the interests of public safety. Nigeria is a tense enough country as it is without Lagos motorists having to also contend with the possibility being targeted for extortion and vehicle impoundment over often imaginary offences.

What should NOT occur, in any metropolis that hopes to retain civil order on the streets, is for groups of hungry-looking “officials” to loiter in ambush for motorists in the exact same way as do car-jacking bandits, poised to wrestle doors open and leap un-invited into the cars of unsuspecting road-users who then face an array of equally unpleasant options ranging from being forced to head towards “the office” for vehicle impound, to laboriously negotiating bribes demanded for leniency, to getting in fist-fights and trying to kick the uninvited hitchhikers out the car door so as to flee the scene.

Governor Fashola, PLEASE disband that gang of extortionists and road-side banditos, known in Lagos Nigeria as LASTMA, (which stands for : Lay Ambush, Stalk, Trap, Manhandle and Aggravate). Remove those disruptive LASTMA chimpanzees from the streets of Lagos, and re-engage them as municipal sewage disposal engineers for the city, since their services would be better appreciated there by all who have ever encountered them. Reckless driving pursuits are the job of the POLICE. All other traffic offenses must be handled in a way that does not violate the right of citizens to freedom of movement and due process of law for those accused of traffic offences.

FEMALE BANKER KNOCKS DOWN LASTMA OFFICIAL.

Reports have it that one Ms Yinka Johnson, a female banker with Standard IBTC bank, yesterday knocked down a Lagos State traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) official, 33-year-old Hammed Balogun, who later died as a result of injuries sustained

The General Manager LASTMA, Engr. Babatunde Edu, said the deceased was carrying out his official assignment at his duty post at Mega City, Ajah area of Lagos before he met his untimely death. He said the driver fled the scene after crushing the LASTMA official to death, adding that she was later arrested with the help of the Area J Commander, ACP Felix Vwamhi.

May the soul of Hammed Balogun rest in peace. Here's hoping the suspect is quickly charged to court and gets a fair trial.

I sincerely hope LASTMA officials will curb that habit of suddenly jumping in front of moving vehicles thinking that their uniform will automatically make the car stop. I've come close to killing a couple myself.

Jakumo: A good lawyer will establish that the motorist ran over that individual either out of fear that the road-block had been set up by robbers, as a result of mechanical failure in the speeding vehicle's brakes and or steering, or due to instinctual evasive driving caused by the sudden appearance of an unexpected road-block erected at an unsafe location.

Future Nigerian President Fashola must, in his capacity as Lagos State governor, emulate other industrialized nations of the Western world by assigning all traffic law enforcement duties to municipal officers whose duties are limited to the issuance of traffic citations payable in the court of jurisdiction applicable to the location where the offence was alleged to have occurred.

Every legally registered vehicle that plies Nigerian roads is owned by an individual or corporation of KNOWN identity and street address. Within all cities, parking violation notice tickets can be taped to the front windows of short-term parking offenders, while the tow-truck removal of abandoned vehicles should be a matter of routine, in the interests of public safety. Nigeria is a tense enough country as it is without Lagos motorists having to also contend with the possibility being targeted for extortion and vehicle impoundment over often imaginary offences.

What should NOT occur, in any metropolis that hopes to retain civil order on the streets, is for groups of hungry-looking “officials” to loiter in ambush for motorists in the exact same way as do car-jacking bandits, poised to wrestle doors open and leap un-invited into the cars of unsuspecting road-users who then face an array of equally unpleasant options ranging from being forced to head towards “the office” for vehicle impound, to laboriously negotiating bribes demanded for leniency, to getting in fist-fights and trying to kick the uninvited hitchhikers out the car door so as to flee the scene.

Governor Fashola, PLEASE disband that gang of extortionists and road-side banditos, known in Lagos Nigeria as LASTMA, (which stands for : Lay Ambush, Stalk, Trap, Manhandle and Aggravate). Remove those disruptive LASTMA chimpanzees from the streets of Lagos, and re-engage them as municipal sewage disposal engineers for the city, since their services would be better appreciated there by all who have ever encountered them. Reckless driving pursuits are the job of the POLICE. All other traffic offenses must be handled in a way that does not violate the right of citizens to freedom of movement and due process of law for those accused of traffic offences.

Nashville: All I keep hearing is "nobody wants to go to jail", does that justify her actions? Why should she go against traffic when she is not insane? Even to the point of killing someone. Shows how much we value life in Nigeria. She doesn't mind killing someone just because she wanted to get home on time. Na wah o!

I hope she stays in jail for a long long time. I am not a fan of LASTMA but they are human and should not be run over!

isaco: To d LASTMA officer, RIP! Dat woman is very wicked, imagine! killing human being. God! Remember d officer has wife, children, family member dat are looking forward to him. Now he has been killed by a heatless woman. Now, to all of you that are lawless in dis country, all d developed states have traffic law lik this. Can any idiot drive d way we drive here in d developed country abroad even in some country in Africa? Dis is a good law and it has come to stay. Learn to obey the rules, don't make nig a lawless state.

ifeci:

So why did she run from the scene if your claim is true?

ifeci:

So why did she run from the scene if your claim is true?

Biggyd2:

Meanwhile the government is saying that they are not interested in people going to jail.


On the road traffic law, the Special Adviser to the governor on Environment, Mr. TaAofeek Folami, maintained that the law was in the interest of the public while responding to a question raised by concerned residents who described the road traffic law as “obnoxious”.

He said the state government is not interested in sending people to jail over the new traffic law and other bills that were signed into law recently.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/08/road-traffic-law-we-are-not-interested-in-sending-people-to-jail-fashola/

If they are not interested in people going to jail why was the law put in place in the first place? Or are they now saying that people cannot read and understand anymore?

I agree with having a Traffic Law, but it must have a human face. I have said in another thread that these LASTMA officials will be used as practice targets especially by men of the armed forces. How many of them will not resist arrest when confronted by LASTMA? Again, because majority of Lagosians believe that the penalties are too steep, they will rather try to run when caught instead of paying those fines i.e. danfo, okada and even some private drivers. And of course who is more at risk - 1. the driver who will take off as soon as he sees any little space or 2. The Lastma standing in front of or beside the arrested vehicle?

theking5: Damn u latsma official, fashola is now converting all alaye's in lagos now as latsma and kai offical's without giving them adequate and requisite training needed to execute d job, even giving them orientation on how to work with d people in d society, , how can somebody go and stand in front of a vehicle just bcs u want to arrest d person without fearing 4 ur own life, . . . .

profola2be:

if you like,go and consult late Gani Fawehinmi of blessed memory, for her,i can bet it with you,the door of prison is widely opened before her!

flexyonline: The underlying cause of this incident is not being highlighted here. The root cause of this incident is the wicked and punitive nature of LCC that has that lekki-épée road concession. That mega chicken junction is a major entrance to an estate of over 1000 houses many of who their business takes them to VI for work as such will need to turn back towards chevron toll gate. What did LCC do? They put the turning about 20m after the junction and then the next one at VGC. Because people don't want to spend 30 mins to go and turn in VGC because of this same LCC traffic, they drive not on the main road (so it's not one way) but in front of the estate and get on the road opposite the turning to make that turn. This is where LASTMA officials hide to catch people. What I don't get is that LASG wants the people to conform to 21st century laws while they provide 19th century infrastructure. You don't have good roads or signs, no traffic cameras, no vehicle database and you want to enforce laws. For instance, if you contravene me for driving without seatbelt, how do you prove it? Word of mouth? Govt needs to get it's act right.

FYI I don't have any slightest sympathy for LASTMA. Sorry, to say but I'm not sad they are killed. I'm sorry really and feel bad for feeling this way but can't help it.

ebamma: i have now belief that saying that what a man can do a woman will do better,mrs yinka kirikiri prisons await you,the dead lastma is now controlling traffic in hell

scribble:

lol....jealous about what....just cos i won't work under the same circumstances that lead to these corp naija types gettin frustrated, i turned down a 7 figure offer straight out of college...
but u can apply that contraption u call a brain to keep talking bullcrap
i have run into some psychos who are only psychos cos they have to spend like 4 hours in traffic a day at the least
i wonder why they dont just liberate selves from corporate slavery

Laalamed: If she is high placed or highly connected with politicians and big lawyers,nothing would happen.this is nigeria land of jungle.

mejai: let's be real. Even if she wasn't d one dat hit d lastma man, life is in invovled here. A case of being at d wrong place at d wrong tym. Why goin against d traffic in d first place? Was her house on fire? Or was she informed dat d husband was sleeping wit d maid? Funny how realities set in after our wrong doing. When satan is at work u will know. I stay @ vgc, d rate most drivers make a u-turn b4 d designated junction is alarming. She has committed an offence & why would she run 2 her house(not policestation o) & d estate security even refused openin d gate. No road in lagos is traffic-free, makeup ur mind & stay in dat traffic or u buy okada, use bus. Now, 'had i known' will becloud her conscience. Pls lastma men r humans like us. 50,000 naira(at worse) is cheaper dan killin a soul & spendin more dan dat 2 get fair judgement, yet, jail waits 4 u.