The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has called for the reinstatement of psychiatric evaluations for drivers caught violating one-way traffic rules.
This is part of a set of far-reaching resolutions adopted at the Second Lagos Traffic Conference held to commemorate the agency’s 25th anniversary.
The three-day event, which ran from July 15 to 17, 2025, at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, was themed “Enhancing Traffic Efficiency and Safety on Lagos Roads: Challenges, Opportunities and Innovations.”
It brought together top government officials, traffic experts, media practitioners, and civil society representatives to chart the future of traffic management in Africa’s largest city.
Addressing what it described as a worrying disregard for road safety rules, the conference stressed that mental health assessments should be reintroduced for drivers apprehended for one-way violations.
“The Agency should reinstate psychiatric assessments as a penalty for individuals apprehended for driving against traffic (one-way), in line with previous safety-oriented reforms to re-instill fear and law-abiding spirit in citizens,” the communiqué read.
The measure, once adopted under previous reforms, was commended for its psychological impact on offenders and deterrent effect on the wider public.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu received praise from the conference for his unwavering support for LASTMA and his government’s continued investment in road safety infrastructure.
The communiqué described the establishment of the agency as “a masterstroke in public policy — a strategic blend of law enforcement, civil engagement, and urban planning woven into a singular institutional framework.”
It added that LASTMA had, over the past 25 years, played a pivotal role in reducing traffic congestion, enforcing road discipline, and enhancing the overall efficiency of Lagos’s transportation ecosystem.
Participants agreed that improving traffic efficiency in Lagos would require a multi-dimensional approach, including behavioural reform, strategic communication, technological investment, and institutional protection for LASTMA officers.
The conference called for traffic education to be embedded in school curricula and urged the agency to adopt behavioural science tools in its public engagement strategies.
The need for officers to receive regular international training and career development support was also emphasised, along with calls for better welfare structures including access to subsidised essential services and financial support schemes.
Another major concern addressed was the rising cases of assault on traffic officials. It was resolved that any physical or verbal attack on LASTMA officers would now attract immediate legal prosecution, with such cases to be widely publicised to discourage impunity and restore respect for uniformed personnel.
The conference recommended that LASTMA intensify efforts to project a more positive public image by showcasing operational successes across digital and print media.
It welcomed the offer made by respected journalist Babajide Otitoju to air the agency’s silver jubilee documentary on national television at no cost, describing it as a gesture of goodwill and recognition of the agency’s contribution to urban order.
Concluding the deliberations, the conference reaffirmed the strategic role of LASTMA in Lagos’s future and called for deeper private sector engagement, expanded intelligent transport systems, and the establishment of a dedicated Lagos State Traffic Management Trust Fund to support innovation and service delivery.
The communiqué stated, “Over the past 25 years, LASTMA has proven to be an indispensable structure, significantly enhancing road safety, reducing traffic chaos, and contributing to the overall efficiency of Africa’s most dynamic megacity.”
LASTMA, the statement noted, is now poised to embrace a new era driven by data, artificial intelligence, and citizen collaboration in transforming traffic management in Lagos.
