Lagos state recently passed a Law that enables her auction vehicles deemed to have committed the offence of driving against traffic.

The last auction exercise led to a lot of tears and some rejoicing.

Now, is it fair to auction these vehicles, to impose fines or Jail offenders?

The effect of Auctioning vehicles infront of owners has a horrible psychological effect, which can lead to suicides, further criminal mischief and public disobedience.

Imposing fines is almost akin to auctioning such vehicles. Depending on the level of the fines, offenders may commit further mischief

Jail terms will only make the problems worse, considering the packed cells and the Nigerian reform system.

In all, Jail terms will only produce hardened traffic offenders, fines can be borrowed and offenders immediately resume offending.

However, Auctioning offending vehicles not only affects the offenders but also the general public.

In the UK for example, traffic offenders can be barred from driving for 10 years, auctioning an offenders car will probably keep them from driving for a while.

Driving against traffic not only exacerbates traffic, it almost always leads to horrible accidents, of which one almost occured which lead to my post. Anything to prevent manslaughter is fair.

The effort of Lagos state is Laudable, but care must be taken not to abuse the process by favoring certain bidders because of bribes or by selectively arresting only private vehicles. Infact 90% of traffic offences are committed by commercial vehicles.

Lagos government could also perform an online auction, so everyone can participate. These creates more awareness and reduces the tendency to commit such offences.

Finally, Lagosians should calm down, taking bikes on express roads against traffic, driving against traffic is a terrible idea.

Lives can never be replaced, vehicles can.