In a bid to enhance road safety and improve traffic management, the Lagos State Government has launched a new initiative to monitor and curb speeding within the metropolis. The Ministry of Transportation, in collaboration with Huawei Technologies, has deployed four new Intelligent Transport System (ITS) sites strategically designed to detect traffic violations and ensure compliance with speed limits.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, announced the development during a press briefing on Thursday. He emphasized that the newly installed ITS infrastructure would complement the state’s existing Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and other traffic management devices to improve road safety.
Strategic Checkpoints to Monitor Speeding
Osiyemi explained that two new speed-monitoring checkpoint sites have been set up in key locations to detect and deter overspeeding, which remains one of the major causes of road accidents.
- One checkpoint is located at Alapere, Ogudu Road, with an enforced speed limit of 80km/h.
- The second checkpoint is positioned at Nitel, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, where the speed limit is 60km/h.
“These checkpoint sites are strategically placed to discourage reckless driving and prevent accidents caused by excessive speeding,” Osiyemi noted.
E-Police Sites to Detect Other Violations
Beyond speed monitoring, the Lagos State Government has also introduced e-police sites designed to detect various traffic infractions. These advanced monitoring systems have been installed at:
- Allen Avenue Road Junction
- Nurudeen Olowopopo Road
The Commissioner highlighted that the e-police sites would automatically detect and record multiple traffic violations, including:
- Running red lights
- Illegal U-turns
- Reverse driving on highways
- Non-compliance with lane discipline
Strict Enforcement and Fines for Violators
To ensure compliance, Osiyemi disclosed that enforcement of these regulations would commence immediately. Motorists who violate traffic laws will receive an SMS notification from the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) department, detailing the nature of their offense and the corresponding fines.
- Running a red light will attract a fine of N20,000.
- Exceeding the speed limit will result in a fine of N50,000.
“This system is not meant to be punitive but rather to encourage responsible driving behavior and significantly reduce road accidents. Our goal is to save lives, protect property, and establish a more orderly transportation system in Lagos,” Osiyemi reiterated.
Collaboration with Key Stakeholders
The announcement was made in the presence of other key stakeholders, including the Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Olatunbosun Alake, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Olawale Musa, representatives from Huawei Technologies, and other senior officials from the Ministry of Transportation.
The deployment of the ITS system marks a significant step in the Lagos State Government’s ongoing efforts to modernize traffic management and enhance road safety across the city. Motorists are urged to adhere to the new traffic regulations to avoid penalties and contribute to a safer driving environment in the state.
