The move, authorities say, is part of a broader strategy to restore road discipline and ensure public safety across the state.
The Lagos State Government has directed the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to subject 18 motorists, recently apprehended for driving against the flow of traffic, to a mandatory psychiatric evaluation.
The move, authorities say, is part of a broader strategy to restore road discipline and ensure public safety across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, on Sunday, the 18 vehicle owners will be arraigned immediately under a prosecutorial framework that includes psychological assessment as part of the penalty for the traffic violation.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, explained that the initiative aligns with international best practices in traffic psychology and behavioural enforcement.
“The enforcement of psychiatric assessments is not intended to stigmatise or punish,” Mr. Bakare-Oki said. “Rather, it is a necessary intervention designed to protect the general motoring public from individuals who exhibit reckless disregard for human life and lawful order.”
He said the measure was designed not just to punish but to rehabilitate and deter.
Despite ongoing awareness campaigns and public education efforts, the state government reports that a significant number of drivers still disregard traffic laws, resulting in fatal accidents, congestion, and damage to infrastructure.
“This measure is more than just a traffic enforcement initiative,” stated Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki. “It is a moral and civic imperative, reflecting the Lagos State Government’s vision to promote responsible motoring, safeguard human life, and maintain order on our roads.”
The statement noted that the psychiatric evaluations were introduced as both a corrective and deterrent mechanism to combat the menace of one-way driving.
LASTMA reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing traffic laws, enhancing public education, and ensuring a more orderly traffic environment.
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