SEE THE -New Lagos State traffic laws

This is to inform you that the Lagos State House of Assembly has passed a bill for a law to repeal and re-enact the road traffic laws and to make provisions for road traffic and vehicle inspection in Lagos State.

The new amended traffic law which was passed last week includes the following provisions:

          Driving in a direction prohibited by the road traffic laws (that is driving against traffic, popularly known as ‘one way driving’) now attracts a three-year jail term, while a first time offender gets a one-year jail term; with the vehicle used for this breach being  forfeited to the state government.

a.    Bullion vans are not exempted from the law as any bullion van driven in a direction prohibited by the road traffic law will be forfeited to the state.

         Abandoned vehicles on the highway will be (a) fined N50,000.00 (b) their owners will be imprisoned for three years or (c) the owners will be both fined and imprisoned.

           Riding a motor-cycle against traffic or riding on the kerb, median or road setbacks will attract a fine of N20,000.00 for first time offenders, while subsequent offenders will be fined  N30,000.00 or the rider’s motor-cycle will be impounded.

            Smoking while driving will attract N20,000.00.

           Failure to give way to traffic on the left at a round-about will attract a N20,000.00 fine.

           Disobeying traffic controls will attract a N20,000.00 fine.

           Violation of routes by commercial vehicles will attract a N20,000.00 fine. 

        Riding motor-cycles without a crash helmet  will (a) attract a N20,000.00 fine (b) three years imprisonment or (c) both a fine and imprisonment for the rider and his/her passenger.

          The law prohibits under-aged persons (below eighteen years old) from riding a motorcycle and imposes a fine of  N20,000.00 for breach of this requirement.

       Operating a motor-cycle in a restricted area or prohibited route will attract a fine of N20,000.00 or the rider’s motor-cycle will be impounded.

           Any person driving without a valid driving license will have his/her vehicle impounded.

           Learning drivers without a learner’s permit will receive a fine of N20,000.00.

       Driving with a fake vehicle plate number will attract a fine of N20,000.00 for first time offenders, along with six months imprisonment or both  imprisonment and a fine for subsequent infractions.