The Lagos state’s commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu, has spoken of tougher traffic rules that will bring sanity to Lagos roads.
He has listed 80 offences if violated would attract heavy fines and various terms of imprisonment.
He mentioned that it would be difficult for offenders to go Scot free as inter-agency collaboration of all security and law enforcement agencies within the State to ensure strict enforcement.
The Monitoring and Enforcement Coordination Committee he said would be headed by Lagos Sate’s former Commissioner for Transport Kayode Opeifa. The committee is created to monitor and enforce all the new executive orders and other existing laws of the state.
Lagos State Government he said had resolved to put an end to lawlessness among members of the community and that Lagos of today won’t condone their lawlessness. We are together now in synergy, putting all our resources together to go after the lawbreakers in the society.
He also mentioned the fact that there would be more presence of mobile courts to ensure swift prosecution of Traffic offenders.
But What are these Traffic offences you should be cautious of?
The Lagos State Road Traffic law 2012 is the Supervening enactment for Road and traffic offences in Lagos State. Schedule I to the law contains a list of said offences and their punishments which are now enforceable. They are:
- Violation of Routes by Commercial Vehicles
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Impound vehicle in addition to counseling and enlightenment by LASDRI (Lagos State Drivers’ Institute)
- Non Display of Route and Route Number on Vehicle
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: N/A
- Disobeying Traffic Control Personnel
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Impound vehicle in addition to LASDRI training
- Parking on Yellow Line on a Public Highway/Illegal Parking
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Impound vehicle in addition to LASDRI training
- Neglect of Traffic Directions
Penalty: Forfeiture of the vehicle to the state
Additional: Six (6) month imprisonment/one (1) community service
- Vehicle Crossing Double Yellow Line/Center Line
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Impound vehicle in addition to more training at LASDRI
- Staying Within the Yellow Junction Box (Offside Rule)
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Impound vehicle in addition to LASDRI training
- Failure to Yield to Right of Way for Pedestrian at a Zebra Crossing
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Impound vehicle in addition to LASDRI training
- Failure to Give Way to Traffic on the Left at a Roundabout
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Impound vehicle in addition to LASDRI training
- Smoking/Drinking Alcohol While Driving
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Three (3) months imprisonment or six (6) months community service
- Riding Motorcycle Without a Crash Helmet for the Rider
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: N/A
- Riding a Motorcycle Without a Rider’s Permit
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00
Additional: Impound motorcycle and collect permit before release
- Riding a Motorcycle:
(i) Against traffic
(ii) On the kerb, median or road setbacks
Penalty: 1st offender N50,000.00 | Subsequent offender N100,000.00
Additional: Three (3) months imprisonment or six (6) months community service
- Conveying More Than One Passenger at Any Given Time Both Rider and Passenger
Penalty: 1st offender N50,000.00 | Subsequent offender N100,000.00
Additional: Imprisonment for a term of three (3) months or both fine and imprisonment, six (6) months community service
- Instalment of Musical Gadget on a Motorcycle
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Forfeiture of the gadget, counselling/Enlightenment
- Alteration of Manufacturer’s Specification on Motorcycle (e.g. Handle Bar/Leg)
Penalty: N20,000
Additional: In addition, revert back to manufacturer’s specification
- Motorcyclist Resisting Arrest
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Additional LASDRI training before release
- Driving Motor Vehicle/Motorcycle Without Side Mirrors, Indicators, Brake Lights or Rear Lights
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Install/fix before release plus counselling and enlightenment at LASDRI
- Wrongful Overtaking of Other Vehicle
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Imprisonment for a term of three (3) years or both fine and imprisonment
- Under-Aged Person Riding a Motorcycle
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Dislodge rider and impound motorcycle
- Motorcycle Operating Using Horn Designed For Motor Vehicles
Fine: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Remove horn and install normal specification
- Operating a Motorcycle Below 200cc Engine Capacity
Penalty: N/A
Additional: Impound motorcycle
- Exceeding Prescribed Speed Limit
Penalty: N100,000
Additional: Imprisonment for a term of two (2) years or both fine and imprisonment
- Tailgating an Emergency Vehicle
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Imprisonment for a term of three (3) years or both fine and imprisonment
- Failure of Slow-Moving Vehicle to Keep to the Right Lane
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Impound vehicle plus LASDRI training
- Assault on a Traffic Officer (Physical)
Penalty: N100,000 or six (6) months imprisonment
Additional: Pay compensation to the assaulted officer
- Driving in a Direction Prohibited by the Law / Neglect of Traffic Directions
Penalty: Forfeiture of the vehicle to the state
Additional: 1st offence – one (1) year imprisonment and forfeiture of the vehicle to the state. Second and subsequent offence attracts three years imprisonment and forfeiture of the vehicle to the state and capturing of data and bio-metrics
- Illegal U-Turns
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Driver training at LASDRI
- Wrongful Overtaking of Other Vehicles
Penalty: 1st offender N50,000.00 | Subsequent offender N100,000.00
Additional: Imprisonment for a term of three (3) months or both fine and imprisonment or six (6) months community service
- Overloading of a Commercial Vehicle on the Highway
Penalty: N50,000
Additional: Imprisonment for a term of three (3) months or six (6) months community service
- Driving on the Walkway or Kerbs
Penalty: N50,000
Additional: Impound vehicle plus three (3) months imprisonment
- Parking on the Walkway or Kerbs
Penalty: N20,000
Additional: Impound vehicle plus three (3) months imprisonment
- Parking or Stopping to Pick Passengers by a Commercial Vehicle on the Highway – Both Driver and Passenger
Penalty: N50,000
Additional: Driver training at LASDRI or three (3) months imprisonment
- Bullion Van Driving in a Direction Prohibited by Law
Penalty: Forfeiture of vehicle
Additional: Imprisonment for a term of three (3) years or payment of a fine of five hundred thousand Naira (N500,000)
- Abandoned Vehicle on Highway
Penalty: N500,000 plus cost of towing
Additional: Imprisonment for a term of three (3) months
- Vehicle Causing Obstruction on Highway if Broken Down
Penalty: Commercial – N50,000.00 in addition to the cost of towing | Private – N25,000.00 in addition to cost of towing
Additional: N/A
- Commuter or Conductor Hanging on Tailboard of Moving Vehicle
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Dislodge and impound the vehicle
- Vehicle With Doors Left Open
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: One (1) month community service in addition to fine
- Making and Receiving Calls While Driving Without Hands-Free
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Three (3) months community service
- Texting/Reading Text Messages While Driving
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Six (6) months community service
- Counting Money or Otherwise Engage in Other Activities When Driving
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Three (3) months community service
- Driving Without a Strapped Seat Belt For Both Passengers
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Impound vehicle/Strap on the seatbelt
- Failure to Display Reflective Warning Sign at Point of Break Down
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Procure standardized reflective sign before vehicle release
- Motorist Resisting Arrest
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Impound vehicle in addition to LASDRI training
- Offence: Use of BRT Lite Corridor
Penalty: 1st offender N20,000.00 | Subsequent offender N30,000.00
Additional: Imprisonment for the term of six (6) months/one (1) year community service in addition to LASDRI training
- Wilful Obstruction on Highway
Penalty: N50,000 in addition to the cost of towing
Additional: Imprisonment for a term of three (3) months or both fine and imprisonment
- Storage Charge For Impounded Cars, Jeep and Mini-Buses Per Day
Penalty: N1,000
Additional: N/A
- Storage Charge For Impounded Motorcycles and Three Wheelers Per Day
Penalty: N500.00
Additional: N/A
- Storage Charge For All Other Impounded Vehicles (Six Wheelers and Above Per Day)
Penalty: N2,000
Additional: N/A
- Towing Impounded Cars, Jeeps and Mini-Buses
Penalty: N10,000
Additional: N/A
- Towing Other Commercial Vehicles Excluding Trailers (mini-buses)
Penalty: N10,000
Additional: N/A
- Towing a Trailer or Tanker (empty)
Penalty: N50,000
Additional: N/A
- Towing a Trailer or Tanker (loaded)
Penalty: N100,000
Additional: N/A
- Towing Tippers and Lorries (loaded)
Penalty: N100,000
Additional: N/A
- Towing Luxurious Buses
Penalty: N50,000
Additional: N/A
- Towing an Overnight Breakdown (trailer)
Penalty: N100,000
Additional: N/A
- Towing Tricycles
Penalty: N2,000
Additional: N/A
- Towing Motorcycles
Penalty: N500
Additional: N/A
- Hire of Heavy Duty Recovery Equipment (Towing / Recovery Fees)
Penalty: N/A
Additional: At hirer’s cost
- Failure to Pay Penalty Within Prescribed Time
Penalty: N/A
Additional: Double the initial penalty
- Operating Vehicle Within Restricted Routes or Beyond Approved Hour
Penalty: N50,000 / Impound vehicle
Additional: Optional – Six (6) months imprisonment / one (1) year community service
- Not Painting a Commercial Vehicle in Approved Colours
Penalty: N25,000
Additional: Impound vehicle and enforce painting before release
- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs
Penalty: N100,000
Additional: One (1) year imprisonment
- Disobeying Traffic Light
Penalty: N10,000
Additional: Optional – Three (3) months imprisonment/Six (6) months community service
Additional Offences and the Penalties They Attract
Below are other5 traffic offences and the penalties that come with them as clearly stipulated in the Lagos State traffic law.
- Driving Without a Valid Driver’s License
Penalty vehicle will be impounded.
- Driving With Fake Number Plate
Penalty: N30,000 or sentenced to 3 years in prison.
- Driving with Forged Vehicle Particulars
Penalty: 6 months in prison.
- Driving With a Fake Driver’s License
Penalty: 6 months in prison.
- Driving an Unpainted Taxi Without Permit
Penalty: vehicles will impounded.
- Disobeying LASTMA Officials
Penalty: Fine of N30,000 and or vehicle impounded if found guilty.
- Smoking While Driving
Penalty: N30,000 or vehicle impounded.
- Driving Without Full Light
Penalty: Fine of N50,000
- Driving With Tinted Glasses (Without permit)
Penalty: Fine of N30,000
- Driving With Worn Out Tyre
Penalty: Fine of N30,000.
- Driving Without a Fire Extinguisher
Penalty: Fine of N30,000.
- Driving Without a Spare Tyre
Penalty: Fine of N30,000.
- Driving a Smoking Vehicle
Penalty: Fine of N30,000.
- Driving a car With a Broken Windscreen
Penalty: Fine of N30,000.
- Eating and Driving
Penalty: 3 months in prison if pronounced guilty.
- One-Way Driving